Source: Ontario Federation of Labour

Media Advisory: Mounting Hospital Cuts Trigger Ottawa Protest-Announcement

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 20, 2015) - After years of devastating hospital cuts in Ottawa, more are being planned. From 2012-2014 the Ottawa Hospital cut 224 nurses from departments all across the hospital including, oncology, dialysis, geriatrics, transitional care, obstetrics, infection control, endoscopy and neurosurgery. This year at the General Campus, 35 more positions are slated to be cut, including nurses, health professionals and support staff and the care that they provide. In 2013, the endoscopy clinics was closed at the Riverside site, with some services privatized to for-profit clinics where patients are charged out-of-pocket user-fees. At CHEO, 15 positions have already been cut as 27 full-time nursing positions are under threat of being cut. At the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, 18 positions are slated to be cut accounting for 12% of the total workforce.

At a press conference this Thursday, community leaders will announce a major event in response to the hospital cuts, and hospital and home care privatization in Ottawa.

What: Press conference to make announcement of major local event.

When: Thursday May 21, 12 p.m.

Where: Canadian Health Coalition Boardroom, 251 Bank Street, Suite 212 (2nd floor), Ottawa

Contact Information:

Natalie Mehra
Executive director
Ontario Health Coalition
416-230-6402 (cell)

Marlene Rivier
Co-chair
Ottawa Health Coalition
613-222-8392 (cell)