Union members to rally for improvements in mental health care
KINGSTON - Union members at Providence Continuing Care Centre Mental Health Services (formerly Kingston Psychiatric Hospital) will hold a BBQ and rally today to draw attention to the reduction of services being provided for mental health.
Date: Mon., Nov. 1, 2004
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Hospital front entrance, King and Portsmouth Ave., Kingston
Staff at the facility are trying to draw attention to the issue of dwindling services, lack of fiscal planning and deterioration of patient resources that have plagued the hospital since it was divested from the province in March of 2001.
"The company running this facility seems more interested in hiring additional managers and covering their backs than they are in providing patient care," said Sheryl Ferguson, president of OPSEU Local 431 at the facility. "Downloading the hospital from the province has not saved any money, or improved services."
Ferguson points out that prior to the download, the hospital was run by one administrator earning $104,000 per year. "Now, the same work is performed by three executives who have a combined salary of over $500,000 per year."
Ferguson said that her members are frustrated that management seems to be worried more about image than patients. "Areas that the patients used to use for social activities have been converted to corporate training rooms and chapels. Now, patients have fewer places to go just to get away from their rooms for a while."
Ferguson said she hopes that the public will take an interest in what is happening at the hospital. "Our members are among the best in the province at providing mental health treatment. We need to increase care - not management paycheques."
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For more information: Sheryl Ferguson (613) 329-3106
