Linked Header

Thursday, April 18, 2013

UPDATE: Flemming Calls Healthcare Renewal Difficult But Needed



The Horizon Health Network announcing 131 jobs will be eliminated in an effort to save a portion of almost $22 million in this fiscal year.

They expect this move will save $8.7 million but alot more will have to be done.
Laundry services in Moncton will now be handled in Saint John.
 

Health Minister Ted Flemming says hospitals are expensive to build with every foot costing $400.

He says by consolidating the laundry services they are finding more space for clinical services.   Flemming adds  it doesn't make a lick of sense to be using valuable expensive hospital space for laundry services.
 

The change in laundry service will take place before November 1st.

Horizon Health Network President and CEO John McGarry says they hope to move some of the workers impacted by the changes into open positions.

He says they have a really good opportunity to slot them into open positions adding they are a large organization with 10,000 workers and 500 vacancies at any given time.

Health Minister Flemming calls the moves a very difficult but necessary task.

Local Food Drive To Begin As Food Banks Run Low

The Extra Helping Spring Food Drive starts tomorrow at all no frills and Atlantic Superstores with supplies at local food banks in desperate need of replenishment.  The food drive lasts until May 9th.

Dietitician Vanessa McLellen tells CHSJ News if you want to donate non-perishable food items, there are more healthy choices to choose from these days. 

The food drive lasts until May 9th. McLellen says you should donate healthy non perishable food items like low sodium soups, canned fish and fruit in water or their own juice and whole grain, unsweetened cereals. 

Also needed are baby food and accessories, cereal and oatmeal, canned fish and meat (tuna, ham, chicken and turkey, beans and molasses, chunky and cream soups, dried pasta and tomato sauce, canned fruit and veggies, peanut butter and jams, canned and powdered milk, fruit and vegetable juices, sugar and spices, detergenmt and soaps along with personal hygiene products.

19 thousand 500 people in the province resort to using food banks each month. The food drive will last until May 9th.

Music Festival Coming To City

For the first time, Saint John will be hosting Music NB Week this coming October with music showcases and public performances featuring musicians from around the province. 

The event culminates with a gala awards ceremony at the Imperial Theatre with members of the public voting for the winners online.

 Peter Asimakos, the General Manager of Uptown Saint John, tells CHSJ News this is a perfect fit with all the available venues in the city along with talented performers.

The Executive-Director of Music NB Jean Surrette tells CHSJ News music lovers in the city will be in seventh heaven with public performances being staged around town.


There will also be music industry types from abroad in the city searching out talent to perform overseas. Surrette says the best of the talent will be showcased to the talent spotters.

Cuts Announced In Health Care

Job cuts announced by the Horizon Health Network which wants to reduce spending by almost $22 million in the 2013-14 fiscal year. 

There will be 131 union, non-union and administrative management jobs cut. That move, along with not filling vacancies and attrition, is estimated to save $8.7 million but another 12.5 million dollars in savings will still have to be found. 

Facilicorp, meantime, is consolidating its laundry operations to save 2.4 million dollars. Laundry and linen from the hospitals in Moncton will be processed by the laundry facility in Saint John.

Saint John Y Raises $55,000 While Honouring The Sisters Of Charity

Nearly 500 people packing the Trade and Convention Centre to celebrate 159 years of dedication by the Sisters of Charity.
 

Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas tells CHSJ News he has known the sisters his whole life.

He says one of the sisters of charity delivered him on the Tobique First Nation.

Sister Mary Beth McCurdy says the evening felt very communal.

She says they feel deep gratitude and they want to offer support to the young leaders that have been recognized by the Y.

McCurdy spoke of the synchronicity between the Sisters and the Y who are both 159 years old.


Saint John Y President and CEO Shilo Boucher tells CHSJ News the event exceeded her expectations.

She says people were emotional because this group of women has served the community for 159 years and people really felt it.

Boucher says the more than $55,000 raised with go right back to the community through Y programs.


Gas Prices Down Again

Drivers who have to fill up won't be displeased with gas prices which have decreased again after the weekly setting. 

They're down by a few cents with self serve regular being sold in the city for $1.22.9 a litre and diesel is going for $1.26.6. 

Heating oil is also a bit less expensive with a maximum price of $1.09.4 as is propane at $1.04.1.

Traffic Reduced On East Side For Day

Rothesay Avenue at the intersection of Russell Street will be down to one lane each way because of construction on the One Mile Interchange.