Ontario Council of Hospital Unions sounds the alarm on hospital-acquired infections
When: Monday, April 28, 2008, 10:00 am
Where: Sturgeon Falls complex, 219 O’Hara Street, in the Sports Hall of Fame room
Who: Michael Hurley, president, Ontario Coalition of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE)
What: The president of OCHU will address the issue of the infections crisis in Ontario Hospitals and put forward simple solutions to improve the situation and save lives.
He will invite the community of Sturgeon Falls to discuss this issue at a public meeting to be held on May 12.
He will also launch a hotline number allowing residents of Sturgeon Falls and North Bay to share their experiences and express their concerns about these infections.
Why: Over the years, downsizing and contracting out of cleaning services have contributed to a significant increase in hospital-acquired infections, including those related to so-called “superbugs”. This affects hospitals across Ontario, causing 2000 deaths every year, which could have been prevented by putting in place measures costing a lot less than that of treating the infections.
The West Nipissing General Hospital is no exception to this problem. In fact, it has adopted the dangerous practice of contracting out and reducing cleaning services. Unfortunately, the province does not require that each hospital make public the facts about the infections problems they experience.
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For more information, contact:
Benoit Renaud, CUPE communications Michael Hurley, president, OCHU
613-818-0077 W: 416-599-0770 x 21
brenaud@cupe.ca Cell: 416-884-0770
michaelhurley@ochu.on.ca