DURHAM,
ON, May 3, 2024 /CNW/ - In a move that has
raised serious concerns about the future of rural health care and
ignited widespread criticism from local residents, healthcare
professionals and advocacy groups, South Bruce Grey Health Centre
(SBGHC) has announced the decision to transfer its Durham Site
inpatient care unit to their Walkerton and Kincardine sites.
"First they cut Durham Hospital's emergency department hours,
and now they're getting rid of inpatient care, all without
consulting the community or their front line health care workers,"
said JP Hornick, President of OPSEU/SEFPO. "This disregard for the
needs of Durham residents, as well
as the input and expertise of our members undermines the trust
between the hospital, their employees, and the community."
Moving inpatient care to SBGHC's Walkerton and Kincardine sites will mean that many Durham
Hospital RPNs, food services and housekeeping staff represented by
OPSEU/SEFPO Local 275 will face the prospect of relocating outside
their community or commuting long distances to work, exacerbating
an already precarious staffing situation.
"Many of our nursing staff members feel they need to look for
jobs elsewhere," said Trish
Schaefer, OPSEU/SEFPO Local 275 President. "Morale is at an
all-time low. We're already short-staffed because management has
created a toxic workplace where front line staff feel
unappreciated, undermined, and undervalued. The pay is lower than
industry standard, and we've been working without a contract since
2021. It's going to be hard to maintain adequate levels of care for
our patients when we lose even more staff."
Local residents are demanding accountability for this further
erosion of rural health care in their community, where access to
quality medical services is already limited. Relocating the
Durham inpatient care unit to
other towns will make it much harder for families to care for their
loved ones away from their community.
Two actions are being planned by local advocacy groups to demand
that SBGHC reverse their decision and prioritize the well-being of
the community, which OPSEU/SEFPO members also plan to join:
- On May 7th at
7 pm, there will be a Save Our
Hospital Rally organized by Save the Durham Hospital group at the
Durham Community Centre Hall.
- On May 11th at
9 am, the Grey Bruce Health Coalition
will hold a Rally to Save Healthcare at Owen Sound City Hall.
"Our message for South Bruce Grey Health Centre is clear," said
Hornick. "Listen to community residents and your health care
employees, and reverse the cuts to Durham Hospital services
now."
SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)