Sault families hurt by nursing cuts, NDP leader says

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NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ONTARIO

************************* Mark National Nursing Week with end to nursing cuts: Horwath

QUEEN'S PARK - The McGuinty Liberals should join the celebration of National Nursing Week by announcing an end to the nursing layoffs that have devastated communities like Sault Ste. Marie, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said in Question Period yesterday.

“With nearly two dozen nursing positions cut, families in Sault Ste. Marie are being forced to go without thousands of hours of direct care,” Horwath said.

“These cuts are a direct result of the government’s declining commitment to health care, and in my view the people of Sault Ste. Marie deserve much better.”

The NDP leader noted that government cutbacks have forced the Sault Area Hospital to make reductions in oncology, critical care, surgery and other vital programs.

Some 2,045 nursing jobs have been eliminated across Ontario in the past 12 months alone.

Horwath said Ontarians want an assurance from the McGuinty government that no more nursing positions will be cut.

“Nurses are the backbone of Ontario’s health-care system, yet the government is eliminating nursing jobs in every corner of the province,” Horwath said. “Let’s start putting families first by putting an end to these needless cuts that erode the health care we depend on.”

************************* Earlier SooToday.com coverage of this story

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