Over 60 Job Changes Will Impact The Horizon Health Network

Communities like Minto and Blacks Harbour will be feeling the impact of more than 60 job changes at the Horizon Health Network.
The cost-saving initiatives includes moving lab testing from some health centres to the nearest regional hospital and scheduling surgery time more effectively between Christmas and March.
CEO Don Peters says every impacted employee can be re-deployed through the Horizon Health Network.
The Vice-President of Clinical Services Nancy Savage says at the Regional hospital cuts were avoided at the transitional care unit by not filling positions.

Savage tells they were able to hold onto several vacancies which accomodated the new staffing model.
CEO Don Peters adds they are not immune from the impact of the growing provincial deficit especially since hey are the biggest part of the government budget. 
They expect these initiatives will save 4.2 million dollars.

INITIATIVE: Transitional Care Units for Patients

The reassignment of Alternative Level of Care patients, those patients who are waiting for an alternate setting of care such as a nursing home, to designated units, as well as a newly designed care model to ensure the specialized care needs of these patients are met.

INITIATIVE: Laboratory Services

Since the amalgamation of the four Regional Health Authorities in 2008, Horizon has been operating 12 laboratories throughout the region. The 12 laboratories are situated in most hospitals within Horizon and the Tobique Valley Community Health Centre in Plaster Rock and Queens North Community Health Centre in Minto. The two Community Health Centre laboratories have very little volume and are expensive to operate.

As a result, the Tobique Valley and Queens North Community Health Centres will continue to hold public blood collection clinics and to collect laboratory specimens, however testing of all specimens will now be completed at the nearest regional hospital.

This is a change to internal processes and will not affect services to patients or their healthcare. These changes will not affect the hours of operation of the public blood collection clinics or specimen drop off or the waiting time for blood results.

In addition, over the past six months all testing for specialized tests such as Allergies, Vitamin D and Hemochromotosis, an iron metabolism disorder have been centralized. This change has resulted in more efficient use of human and fiscal resources with no impact to patient care.

INITIATIVE: Community Health Centres (CHCs)– Change in Hours of Operation

Horizon had conducted a review earlier this year of all community health centres. This review was done to evaluate costs while continuing to ensure appropriate and affordable primary health care access. It was determined that some CHCs had a low volume of visitors at night and on weekends, and efficiencies would be found by standardizing hours of operation. Visits to these centres were as low as one to two visits during evening and overnight hours.

As a result of this review, the hours of operation will be changing as of November 21^st at Tobique Valley Community Health Centre, McAdam Health Centre, Harvey Health Centre, and Fundy Health Centre.

Tobique Valley Community Health Centre, McAdam Community Health Centre, and Harvey Community Health Centre, will transition from 24/7 to a 12 hour community health centre. The new hours of operation will be Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm. They will be closed on weekends. The walk-in clinic service at Tobique Valley Health Centre (Plaster Rock) will remain available during operational hours once the changes have been implemented.

Fundy Community Health Centre will continue to offer services Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, but will reduce its hours on Saturday and Sunday to 8 am to 4 pm.

INITIATIVE: Queens North Community Health Centre Inpatient Beds

Queens North Community Health Centre (Minto) will not re-open their palliative care beds.  The community will continue to access palliative care services at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, Oromocto Public Hospital and the Extra Mural Program.

INITIATIVE: Paid Parking at the Miramichi Regional Hospital

Paid parking for both public and staff at the Miramichi Regional Hospital will be implemented in the spring of 2012.  The Miramichi Regional Hospital is the only regional hospital in Horizon without paid parking. All funds generated from this initiative will be reinvested back into the Miramichi Regional Hospital and its property.

Revenue will provide financial support to current and special patient care programs as well as the purchase of medical equipment.  It will also be used for the maintenance and upgrading of the Hospital’s parking areas, which are 15 years old and require an expansion to meet the increased demand for public and staff parking.

INITIATIVE: Food Services Operational Review

Horizon Health Network is conducting a Food Services Operational Review in order to determine areas in which it may increase efficiencies and regionalize best practices.  

The review is expected to be completed this year at which time evaluation will take place and recommendations will be considered.

INITIATIVE: Effective scheduling of surgical time between Christmas and March

In collaboration with the surgery programs Horizon will work with staff to enable the most efficient and effective scheduling during Christmas and March break periods. Savings from this initiative will help to ensure service delivery can be maintained throughout the remainder of the year.  Emergency surgery services will be maintained.

2011 Cruise Ship Season Falls Short of 2010 Record

The 2011 cruise season is being called a success despite falling a little short on the number of visitors when compared to last year.

Port CEO Jim Quinn tells CHSJ News the numbers this year would have been the same as last year if it wasn't for 5 cancellations due to inclement weather.
 
About 190-thousand passengers filled the city streets but he says next year will be very exciting -- so far 76 ships are on the docket with 9 of those from the Disney Cruise Line.

2010 was the most successful year for the Port with over 200-thousand visitors.

The 2011 season ends with a triple ship visit next Tuesday.

Province Will Review French Immersion

The provincial government wants to find out if french immersion should be changed.  

A review will be carried out by a task force co-chaired by former provincial cabinet ministers James Lockyer and Elvy Robichaud and they want to hear from parents who now can enrol their children in French immersion in Grade 3 or Grade 6. 

The task force will be holding public hearings across the province from November 1st to December 14th to hear whether the current entry points should be changed in time for the 2012 school year.  

  

The findings and recommendations will be handed over to the province early next year.
   

Long Awaited Energy Plan Unveiled

NB Power is going to be put back together again into one company.........That's part of the Alward government's long term energy blueprint complete with a list of 20 action items for the next three years.
 

They also include a review of the natural gas distribution model to achieve lower rates........a strengthened and more transparent regulatory oversight system on rates.........the creation of a public energy advocate.......an increased commitment to renewable energy along with a new focus on energy efficiency and better managing energy demand. 

The goal, according to Energy Minister Craig Leonard, is for the province to get at least 75 per cent of its electricity from more stable-priced, clean, renewable or emission-free sources, including nuclear energy from Point Lepreau by 2020.

Saint John Energy Offers Efficiency Kits To Customers

Saint John's utility is trying to help its customers save a little money just for the H.E.C.K. of it.   For the third year in a row, the company is offering it's home energy conservation kits to the first 2000 customers that register.
Marta Kelly of Saint John Energy tells CHSJ News the kits include a universal wall plate thermometer and an energy-efficient power bar.

She says they are trying to give their customers the tools to be more energy efficient and
if they use the items in the kits they will be able to reduce their power bill.
On November 5th, the customers receiving kits can pick them up at the Saint John energry garage on the West side.
For more info, click here

New Cruise Ship In Port Today

Even though we're reaching the home stretch of the cruise ship season, some special occasions are still being celebrated.

A new cruise line is being welcomed to the city today. Oceania Cruises' Regatta, with a capacity of over 680 passengers, is arriving at noon.

Another cruise line also had its inaugural visit yesterday.

The last day of the cruise season will be October 25th and that will see three ships docked.

Car Rolls Over By Airport Arterial

Police are looking into what caused a vehicle to go off the road and roll over by the airport arterial late yesterday afternoon.

The accident occurring around 5:30 and traffic was slowed down with police on the scene for a few hours investigating.

They say 2 women were in the vehicle and were taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries. 

There's no word on any charges. It is unknown right now if drugs or alcohol played a factor in the crash.

Loss of Morna Heights School Would Hurt City Coffers

Mayor Ivan Court says the loss of Morna Heights school would also mean the loss of big dollars for the city.

Court spoke at the first of 3 public presentations by the District 8 Education Council on the proposal to close down Morna Heights, Inglewood, and Grand Bay Primary.

He says a new school built in Grand-Bay Westifeld would draw people to that area while the city continues to bleed tax-payers.

He says a declining city population has already cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in gas tax revenue and the city would have to raise taxes in order to make up the revenue.

Another meeting is scheduled at Grand-Bay Primary tonight at 7:30pm and then the following night at Inglewood.  More public meetings will also be held next month.

Exercise For LNG Facility Today

Canaport LNG will be conducting an emergency response exercise all day today
Emergency vehicles and personnel will be seen at Canaport LNG and on the Red Head Road throughout the day.

The purpose of this exercise is to test Canaport LNG’s emergency plans and response.

Normal operations at the terminal will not be impacted by the exercise.

Province Will Try To Keep Group Home Clients In The City

Social Development Minister Sue Stultz says her department will do its best to keep 13 ousted group home residents in the city.

3 group homes for the mentally ill are shutting their doors in December and Stultz says their safety is paramount and province will do its best to keep them in the city.

The union for the 27 employees losing their jobs has been critical of the Department of Social Development, saying the province has not been making placements which led to the money drying up.

They have written to the Minister for funding.

Saint John Places In the Middle Of Business Survey

 The Canadian Federation of Independent Business finds Saint John ranks in the top 50 of 100 business friendly businesses across the country.
Atlantic Vice-President, Leanne Hachey tells CHSJ News they would like to see our city doing better than that.

She says it has room to grow and they would like to see all of the Atlantic cities in the top 20 if not the top 10.

Moncton has the highest ranking in Atlantic Canada at 16 out of 100 and the #1 ranking in the country goes to Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Trickle Down Economics Branded A Failure

Do tax cuts for the wealthier in the province translate into job creation for the rest of us?

That question is at the core of the Occupy Wall Street protests.

Jean-Claude Basque of the Common Front for Social Justice tells CHSJ news there is no evidence the last tax break for the better off back in 2009 did anything except widen the gap between rich and poor.

Basque says the income tax cut did reduce government revenue by 325 million dollars.

Seismic Testing For Shale Gas Done In Sussex Before Town Council Meets

Unlike Hampton, Sussex Town Council didn't get the chance to have a say on whether seismic testing for shale gas would go ahead or not.

Seismotion, in behalf of Windsor Energy was to go before Town Council at a special meeting tonight but the testing has already been done. It happened last night

 As you might expect, Mayor Ralph Carr is not happy about it calling the action bad public relations.

Carr says he was belabouring under the misapprehension the town had the final say but concedes it looks like he was mistaken. 

When asked by CHSJ News what people in the town think about shale gas exploration, Carr estimates opinion is split right down the middle.

Saint John High Collecting For Romero House

If you have winter boots that are still in pretty good shape and you don't need, Saint John High would like to have them so they can be given to Romero House.

 A teacher at Saint John High Barry Ogden has been at this for a long time and seen a change in public attitudes over the years when, at one time, no one really wanted to talk about poverty.

Ogden says in ordfer to defeat poverty, they city will have to get rid of its slums and expand its post secondary school opportunities.

The school is also collecting, all year round, children's books for the food banks . The 26th annual food drive for the Community Food Basket in the South End will be getting underway shortly.

Occupy Saint John Protest Becomes Tent Village

The Occupy Saint John protest continues as a group of mostly youth are living in tents in King Square.
The movement is opposed to the growing separation between the rich and poor and what they believe is increasing corporate greed.
Carl Beardsell tells CHSJ News they plan to stay as long as it takes.

He says they want to stay at least until next Saturday but he says as long as they have two or three people they can stay as long as they want.

Beardsell says no one including the City police has asked them to move along.
He adds most people are supportive and some of the local businesses have made donations including food.  

 

New "Y" Facilty Will Be A Catalyst For The Crescent Valley

Saint John Portland MLA Trevor Holder says the new YM-YWCA facility to be built on Churchill Boulevard will be a game-changer for the neighbourhood.

He tells CHSJ News for many years the north end did not have an anchor tenant and it was something residents really wanted.

He says they have been telling him for years that they wanted recreational facilities nearby so they would not have to leave the neighbourhood.

He adds the new Y building will attract new businesses and help transform the Crescent Valley into a mixed-income area.

Sussex Council To Vote On Shale Gas Testing

The controversial issue of seismic testing for shale gas comes up tonight before a special meeting of Sussex Town Council where a vote is expected on whether or not to allow it to proceed.

Seismotion, which is working on behalf of Windsor Energy, would like to test on two pieces of land owned by the town along Highway 1. 

Mayor Ralph Carr says if town council votes in favour of allowing the testing to go ahead, it doesn't necessarily mean it supports shale gas development. 

There have been two towns in the province, Hampton and Sackville which have voted not to allow any testing to take place at all within their municipal limits.

Police Warn About PayPal Scam

If you use PayPal a lot, you need to hear this.
The Fraud section of the Saint John police service warning that users may get an email entitled  "Dear PayPal user" with official looking logos, graphics and format which provides a link to verify account info and identity.
City police describe this type of fraud as "phishing".

The police point out an email from PayPal will address you by your first and last name or by your business name and would never ask for sensitive information like your password, bank account or credit card.

Geophones Still Dotting Parts of Highway 1

If you notice little boxes along Highway 1 between Sussex and Hampton, don't be alarmed.

It's further seismic testing being done by Windsor Energy.

The geophones previously dotted the highway between Quispamsis and Hampton.

Last week, about 50 protesters lined up outside of Hampton to protest the possibility of testing in the town.

Town council voted down the proposition unanimously.

Provincial Securities Commissions Raises Concerns Over Possible Federal Regulator

The federal government could play a role in securities regulation - so says the Chair of the New Brunswick Securities Commission.

But David Barry tells CHSJ News the provincial commissions do have concerns about the effect a national regulator would have.

He says one of the most important issue is maintaining the ability to develop our own capitol markets. 
Other issues include enforcement, investment protection, and education.

He believes provincial commissions are ideal to deliver key services.

The Supreme Court of Canada will be deciding in the coming weeks as to whether the federal government can be involved in securities regulation.

Students Back In Class At NBCC After Evacuation

A Level 2 Hazmat alert forcing the evacuation of the New Brunswick Community College after a gas smell in the facility.
Saint John District Fire Chief Eric Garland tells CHSJ News fire crews and Hazmat 1 responded after the call in about 11:40 this morning.

He says on arrival the NBCC building personnel told them that smells were noticed in parts of the building and that alarms were pulled in a couple places to get people out.

No smells were detected by the equipment although fire crews could smell something in different parts of the college.
Students and staff are allowed back in the building at 1:30.

Parents Ready To Make The Case For Morna Heights School

Parents in Morna Heights vow they will fight tooth and nail to keep their local school open. 

School District 8 has a proposal supported by its staff to close Morna Heights School Grand Bay Primary and Inglewood. They would be replaced by a brand new school in Grand Bay-Westfield.

Christian Goldie is one of the parents opposed to closing Morna Heights School. He tells CHSJ News the students test extremely high and the teachers have a high job satisfaction rate.

Three public meetings will be held this week with the first one tomorrow night, 7:30 at Morna Heights School.

Drunk Drivers Nabbed In Hampton Region

The RCMP in the Hampton district which stretches from Sussex to Grand Bay-Westfield have been nailing alot of drunk drivers.

Police report they have carried out 251 spotchecks resulting in close to 2000 tickets being written up and nearly 3000 warnings in writing.
 

42 people have been charged with impaired driving and 20 others have been given week long suspensions. Police say if you see someone driving erratically to give them a shout.

International Day For The Eradication Of Poverty Is Marked In Province

Some may find the timing ironic........The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is happening just after the Occupy Wall Street protests spread to cities in this country including Saint John.

Jean-Claude Basque of the Common Front for Social Justice is hoping the protests might help to stop people blaming the poor for being in poverty. 

Basque also points out minimum wage workers have received, in the last six years, an hourly wage below all of the other Atlantic provinces. 

In September 2011, there were more than 25,000 households in the province and almost 41 thousand people on social assistance. The provincial caseload increased by 28 hundred cases since the 2008 economic meltdown.

In July 2011, the Common Front surveyed 22 grocery stores in the province and found between 2010 and 2011, there had been a 5 and three-quarters per cent increase in the cost of a nutritious food basket. A similar study last year discovered between 2006 and 2010 there had been a 21% increase in the price of basic foods.

Bus Route Change Due To Road Work

Saint John Transit Bus Routes 3 & 4 can't access Kilburn Avenue due to construction.

In the meantime, they will be using Valley street.

Former Y CEO Dies

A bittersweet moment for the YM-YWCA in the wake of their land and funding announcement as former Y CEO Pat Davis passed away over the weekend.

Chair of the Capital Campaign Dale Knox says he wouldn't be surprised if a dedication took place once the new facilty is built.

He says it's early days but, she will be honoured in some ways after being such a big part of this project.

Davis was the CEO of the Y for about 6 years.

Irving Advocates Mediation Over Litigation In Divorce

"Mediation Not Litigation"--that is what Toronto mediator Dr. Howard Irving advocates.
Irving is the guest speaker at a family mediation conference in Saint John today.
He tells CHSJ News the biggest misconception is that people believe mediators are advocating separation and divorce.

He says the first thing mediators do is see if there is a chance for mediation and he says in 10 per cent of the cases, couples do reconcile.

In Quebec, mediation is mandatory with separating couples receiving 6 hours to resolve some of the issues before resorting to litigation.

The YM-YWCA Gets A New Home

The YM-YWCA will be moving to the north end in Crescent Valley -- the provincial government is handing over a parcel of land for $1 on the north side of Churchill Boulevard along with funding the design work.

Acting Chief Executive Shiloh Bouché says the location is very accessible and the trend across the country is that once a Y facility is built, it makes the community a more active and vibrant place.

The Regional Development Corporation is also giving $300,000 for the design costs of the proposed 69,000 square foot facility, which will include a 25-metre pool, pre-school centre, a day care area, and a computer lab.

The Y will be ramping up its fundraising efforts for the 20-million dollar building, with an opening date planned for January of 2014.

Supervisor Appointed for St. Martins

Sandra J. Roy, former clerk of the Village of St. Martins, has been appointed supervisor for the municipality after the deaths of Mayor Jim Huttges and Councillor Mike Gillcrist until new elections are held in May.

After the two elected representatives died, there weren't enough members on the village council to make their meetings legal.

Public Meetings On School Closures To Be Held This Week

The controversial proposal of closing down Morna Heights, Grand Bay Primary, and Inglewood School in order to build a super-school will in the spotlight once again.

School District 8 will be holding 3 public meetings to discuss the issue and Chair of the District 8 Education Council Rob Fowler tells CHSJ News nothing is set in stone.

He says any closures, if they were approved, would not occur for about 5 years.

Parents against the closures are concerned about longer bus rides and larger class sizes for their children.

The first meeting will be held a Morna Heights School tomorrow at 7:30pm, with meetings on Wednesday and Thursday at Grand Bay Primary and Inglewood respectively.

Fasting For Food Donations A Big Success

Tammy Calvin with ONE Change now has both a trailer and a belly full of food.

She and Andrea Richards were taking part in a fast since Thursday until they had a trailer full of food donations for the North End Food Bank.

She tells CHSJ News they ended up filling the trailer 3 feet high and 53 feet deep with product.
 
She says they hit their goal Saturday night.

New Chief Of Staff At Regional Hospital Warns Against Further Cuts

Provincial Health Minister Madelaine Dube has not concealed the fact the cost of health care must be brought down but at what cost? She has indicated more efficiencies may not be enough to achieve the kinds of savings required. 

The new Chief of Staff at the Regional Hospital Dr. John Dornan acknowledges the financial plight facing the provincial government these days which finds itself saddled with a huge budget deficit but he tells CHSJ News further cuts would be , in his words, "painful in terms of patient care".
 

The Horizon Health Network, so far this fiscal year, is reporting a balanced budget with a small surplus of over 30 thousand dollars.
 

Dr. Dornan, took over from Dr. Brian Wheelock as the new Chief of Staff, at the beginning of September.

Does The North End Still Beckon For The "Y"?

The YM-YWCA is still looking north despite turning thumbs down on the old Zellers store in Lansdowne Plaza as being too expensive to tear down and rebuild. 

What is being called an important community announcement will be made this morning about the "Y" by Saint John North M-L-A and provincial cabinet minister Trevor Holder along with Social Development Minister Sue Stultz.

Holder tells CHSJ News there has been an ongoing effort to revitalise both Crescent Valley and the old north end and he believes it's only a matter of time before it starts to pay off. 

Holder also tells us the proximity of the north end to the uptown core of the city will, over time, attract private investment.

Saint Johners Holds "Occupy" Movement

Saint Johners taking part in the "Occupy" movement as about a hundred people marched from King's Square down to city hall in protest of corporate greed and the gap between the rich and the poor.

Malana Iverson is the Executive Director of the Multicultural Association of Saint John tells CHSJ News the increasing poverty rate, the lack of education, and the growing gap from corporate citizens is being felt in Saint John as well as the rest of the world.

She adds many people feel there is a lack of opportunities to voice those concerns and make a difference.

She says she wishes more politicians came out to support the movement.

Occupy Saint John March On King Street

Saint Johners participate in international Occupy movement with a march today down King Street to City Hall.

Time Ticks Away To Vote For The Bay

Just over three weeks left to vote for the Bay of Fundy in the New 7 Wonders of Nature contest.
Tourism Minister Trevor Holder says this would a gamechanger for this province.
Holder tells CHSJ News in tourism you have to have something unique that people want to come and see and it's can't be a gimmick.

He says the highest tides of the world our unique to our region.   He adds everyone in the province should vote and they can do so by text as many time as they want.

To vote for the Bay, click here

Princess of Acadia Cancels Sailing

The 9am sailing from Saint John and the 4pm sailing from Digby of the Princess of Acadia ferry are cancelled due to high winds.

No Injuries In East Side Blaze

Firefighters responding to a late night blaze in East Saint John.
The call came in just before midnight at 199 Goldsworthy Road with heavy fire in the back of the building.

The fire spread to the middle of the building and to the upper floors.
On arrival, fire crews quickly brought the blaze under control.

No one was injured and fire investigators are looking into the cause.

Food Drive Begins Day 3

Two ladies are into Day 3 of a fast to help raise food donations for the North End Food Bank.
Andrea Richards and Tammy Calvin have been set up in a trailer in Lansdowne Plaza since Thursday and plan to go without food until it's full.

It's about half full now and you can make a non-perishable food donation by dropping by today.

They are looking for:
·        Soups and can goods
·        Bread and rolls
·        Canned vegetables
.        Canned fruits
·        Rice, pasta, Kraft Dinner etc.
·        Cereal and oatmeal
·        Snack foods for children’s lunches
·        Baby foods, diapers and formula
·        Laundry soap, shampoo, body soaps, deodorant etc.
·        Crackers
·        Condiments – soya sauce, ketchup, mayo. etc.
·        Pancake mixes and syrups
·        Peanut butter, cheese whiz, jams etc.

Province Says Funding Is There For Group Homes In City Slated For Closure

The Provincial Government is responding to claims that it's responsible for the impending closure of 3 group homes in the city. 

That charge being made by the Canadian Union of Public Employees which represents the workers. Not so, according to Judy Cole of Social Development. 

Cole says there are too many empty beds and the province won't subsidise beds that are empty but there has been no cut in funding.

CUPE says the province isn't making placements at the 3 group homes which are run by non-profit New Direction.

Cole says the government is optimistic it will be able to place the 13 people who live in the group homes elsewhere. 

Grand Manan Adventure Out Of Service

Engine trouble is why the Grand Manan Adventure is currently out of service.
Greg Ryder of Coastal Transport tells CHSJ News a specialist was flown in from Winnipeg to have a look at the engine.

He says they have ordered replacement parts which are due to arrive in Black's Harbour early next week and he expects the ferry to be back in service by mid to late next week.

In the meantime, the Grand Manan Five is handling all service runs between Black's Harbour and Grand Manan.

North End Food Drive Continues

They are doing well physically and about half way to the goal of filling a trailer full of food.
Passionate North enders Tammy Calvin and Andrea Richards are fasting until the trailer set in Lansdowne Plaza is packed with food.
Calvin tells CHSJ News students from Centennial School dropped off some food day.

She says the kids marched down together and every child brought a food donation with them.
As for going without food, Calvin says they are busy so aren't noticing being hungry as much.
You can drop off non-perishable food donations at the trailer in Lansdowne Plaza.

They are looking for:
·        Soups and can goods
·        Bread and rolls
·        Canned vegetables
.        Canned fruits
·        Rice, pasta, Kraft Dinner etc.
·        Cereal and oatmeal
·        Snack foods for children’s lunches
·        Baby foods, diapers and formula
·        Laundry soap, shampoo, body soaps, deodorant etc.
·        Crackers
·        Condiments – soya sauce, ketchup, mayo. etc.
·        Pancake mixes and syrups
·        Peanut butter, cheese whiz, jams etc.

New E-R At Regional Hospital Being Praised

The New Emergency Department at the Regional Hospital is now fully staffed and officials are pleased at how things are going.

The new Chief of Staff at the Regional, Dr. John Dornan calls it a real success story with 54 patient rooms and staffing up from 8 to 22.

The problem, according to Dr. Dornan, is finding them beds in the hospital after they've been treated in the E-R because so many are being used by patients waiting to go elsewhere, such as nursing homes, when the spaces open up.

Prince Edward Street Robbery Update

Two teens are being sought by City Police for the robbery of a woman just after 7 last night on Prince Edward Street by the mall. The woman was knocked to the ground and had her bag taken. The two suspects are described as white with slender builds with one being 5'6"to 5'8" in height and was wearing a hooded sweatshirt. 
The other is from 5"1" to 5'3" and was also wearing a hoodie. Police say they ran down Prince Edward Street before turning onto Richmond Street.
 
If you know who these guys are, police are urging you to call them at 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).

Surgical Wait Times Get Shorter

The Regional Hospital is hoping to have 7 operating rooms utilised next year with the aim being to reduce the surgical wait times. Right now, they have six operating rooms being used. 

The Regional Hospital's Executive Director Margaret Melanson says the surgical wait times have improved but they still can be made shorter.
 

Another struggle is with acute care beds being used by patients who should be elsewhere but are stuck in hospitals because nursing home beds aren't available

The Horizon Health Network has been told, as of the end of September, 23 per cent of the beds in the Regional Hospitals are occupied by people who are essentially waiting to be moved to another setting for their care.

Robbery Near Prince Edward Square

The Major Crime Unit is investigating a robbery which was reported last night shortly after 7:00 on Prince Edward Street near the liquor store. 

We're told a woman was knocked to the ground and had her bag stolen by two men who then ran off. 

She sustained just minor injuries.

Horizon Health Network Has Balanced Budget

No talk of any layoffs as the Horizon Health Network meets in the city. 

In fact, Harry Doyle, who chairs the finance committee, says they have a 33 thousand dollar surplus as of the end of July. 

The Canadian Union of Public Employees had been expressing concern back in August of pending layoffs.  

As for layoffs in the future because of the provincial government's rising deficit, Doyle says that would be the last thing they want to do at Horizon and then there's always attrition when departing workers are not replaced.