The review of operations at Eastern Health is about to be implemented and eventually the other health boards in the province will get the same examination, according to the provincial government.
Recommendations released Tuesday meant to improve operations at Eastern Health indicate that board is vastly inefficient when compared with other boards of similar size across the country.
As a result, the equivalent of 550 positions will be eliminated, but administrators were quick to say that services to patients will not be negatively impacted. That remains to be seen ... and felt.
How cutting jobs by that much won’t result in patients enduring downgraded services and attention will be a near impossible task for managers and those who remain at their posts.
One quote following the release of the report indicated that nurses at Eastern Health spend more time with patients than at other facilities studied across the country.
The impression was left that this was something that should be stopped.
That may be the opinion of those who draw up budgets, but there is little doubt the patients these nurses are caring for would have a differing view.
It should always be remembered these are dedicated workers dealing with life-and-death situations, not someone changing the oil in your car or checking out your groceries.
When the time comes for digging into Western Health, residents on the west coast should now be forewarned to make a strong case for improving health services in this region; not let it go on behind the scenes.
Don’t just leave it to professionals and insiders to have their say. Demand to be heard and protect what is good about the system and what works for our individual communities.
If improvements and efficiencies can be found too, all the better.
But don’t depend on those who are paid to meet budgets or hired guns from who knows where to look after our families’ best interests when it comes to health care.
Improving by cutting is almost always a cruel pipe dream politicians blather on about so they can cut corners and trim budgets.
