CUPE Health Care Workers Rally For Change; Protest Health Care Spending Cuts

CUPE health care workers and community allies protested the government’s health care spending cuts, gathering outside MPP Dave Smith’s office Monday morning.

All photos by Felicia Massey.

All photos by Felicia Massey.

All photos by Felicia Massey.

According to CUPE, Peterborough is projected to lose 115 nurses and PSWs by 2027 to 2028 while the regional hospital could lose 32 staffed beds due to government funding cuts.

The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario’s analysis estimates that hospitals across Ontario will see a bed reduction of 2,450 staffed beds if the government does not increase funding.

@ptbo_canada CUPE health care workers and community allies protested the government’s health care spending cuts, gathering outside MPP Dave Smith’s office Monday morning. Visit ptbocanada .com to learn more. #ptbocanada #CUPE ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

“Nurses are working at unsafe ratios within the hospital,” said registered practical nurse Rachel Fleming. “Ideally, it would be great to have a 1:4 ratio as it gives you enough time to take care of the patient and provide them with the appropriate attention, but instead because they’re cutting jobs they’re making an increased workload for us. Every time you add a patient on top of a 1:4 ratio it increases the chance of death for all patients by 7 per cent.”

MPP Smith has reportedly not addressed CUPE’s concerns.

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