BRACEBRIDGE, ON, February 7, 2024 – The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) and area registered nurses (RNs) and health-care professionals joined ONA Provincial President Erin Ariss, RN in vowing to stop the loss of local health-care services in Muskoka.
“The bombshell announcement made by Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare has shocked and horrified the residents of this community and those who provide care to them,” says Erin Ariss, RN. “We are patient advocates, and stand with the community in decrying this rash, dangerous direction.”
Ariss and front-line nurses have promised to work with local community members to push for the retention of full health-care services by Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare Centre. Ariss notes the hospital has already cut registered nurses and replaced these highly skilled nurses with unregulated health professionals. Ariss told residents at a Town Hall held in Bracebridge that they deserve the same full-service hospital that others in this province have access to.
“It is critical that residents have these services close to home, and that, for instance, a labouring mother is not forced to drive to another facility on a snowy, dangerous night. ONA and its members will work with this community to take every action to save their services, because their health and possibly lives will depend on it. We will not give up.”
ONA is the union representing more than 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.
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To arrange an interview, contact:
ONA Media Relations, gro.a1736897825no@ai1736897825dem1736897825
