FREDERICTON, New Brunswick–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CUPE Local 1252, the union representing 10 000 healthcare workers in New Brunswick, is alarmed by the government threats to close or reduce key rural hospital services.
This week, the NB Health Minister Ted Fleming is to make a major announcement of restructuration of rural hospital services.
“We have heard that rural hospitals such as Caraquet, Grand Falls, Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, Perth Andover, Sackville and Sussex could see reductions in key services,” said Norma Robinson, President of CUPE Local 1252.
“Rumours or not, whatever they plan to announce, it has been made without the input of those directly concerned; rural New Brunswickers and that in itself is alarming,” said Robinson.
“It seems like the government has been dusting off an old discredited Grant-Thornton report from 2012, but are exempting St. Stephens for political reasons,” said Ralph McBride, co-coordinator for Local 1252.
“This right-wing report was specially made to justify service cuts across the board. This is why we are worried not only about emergency room hours reductions, but also with the possible closures of maternity wards and even further the downgrading rural hospital to ‘Regional Health Centers,’” said McBride.
Over the last decade, CUPE has denounced cuts and reductions to services imposed on the healthcare system and its workers. “New Brunswickers have had enough. Citizens are tired of politicians who are doing everything possible to dismantle our Rural NB Healthcare system,” said Norma Robinson.
“Remember, this is the Health Minister who under the Alward Government, had said “If you can drive to a Costco then you can drive to a hospital,” concluded Robinson.
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Contacts
Norma Robinson
President, CUPE 1252
506-272-7727
Ralph McBride
CUPE Servicing Representative
506-608-9803