Latest cuts to care target those least able to speak out
Fraser Health Authority's continued slashing of services to our most vulnerable is outrageous, say nurses
Nurses who work in the Fraser Health Authority are reeling from the latest cuts to health care services for the elderly, palliative patients and addicted youth according to local leaders from the BC Nurses Union.
"Nurses are still recovering from the last round of cuts to acute care beds and surgical services in the FHA last month and now we're told that dozens of beds for convalescent, hospice and residential care patients are going to be chopped," said BC Nurses' Union President Debra McPherson.
"What is even more disturbing than the shortsighted nature of such deficit-driven cuts is the apparent targeting of those who have absolute vulnerability and few resources to fight back. That's why we feel we must speak out."
Linda Pipe, chair of BCNU's Fraser Valley region says, "Nurses who are dedicated to caring for and advocating for the adolescents who suffer from mental health challenges and addictions are devastated that detox and other services are being eliminated when there is a crying need for such supports."
The axing of 42 residential care beds at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock is particularly disturbing. These beds have been filled to capacity and there is no real plan to relocate the residents in an appropriate time frame and in a manner that doesn't damage both the residents and their dedicated care providers in the process.
"Some of these people have no home to go to, and even if they did the FHA and the provincial government have been cutting many of the community support programs that would assist the elderly to stay in their homes," said Janice Buchanan, co-chair of BCNU's South Fraser Valley region. "There can be serious adverse health impacts when vulnerable people are pulled away from their care providers without a well thought out and cautious care plan. It can devastate the residents and the workers."
Nurses are at a loss to understand why the FHA would be cutting residential care beds when acute care facilities in the region have large numbers of people waiting for just such care.
Liz Ilczaszyn, co-chair for the BCNU's Simon Fraser region says, "I cannot understand why, if they are going to close 25 convalescent beds in Queen's Park Care Centre (QPCC) in New Westminster, why FHA isn't returning them to their previous use as residential care beds for seniors and others."
The nurses who provide the special care in New Westminster's QPCC hospice are shocked that these 8 hospice beds, which the community needs and values, are also being closed with so little thought or consultation.
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