Rouge Valley adds more mental health staff as beds are cut in Ajax

AJAX - The Rouge Valley Health System plans to hire more staff than it is laying off to facilitate cuts to mental health beds in Ajax-Pickering, raising questions as to how the controversial plan will save money.

RVHS has repeatedly said the cut to mental health beds in Ajax-Pickering is part of its fiscal recovery plan, yet every aspect of the plan suggests the move will cost taxpayers and the hospital more, not less, says the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

“With this kind of planning, the Ministry shouldn’t expect the financial situation to improve at Rouge Valley,” said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President.

The hospital told staff on the mental health unit that cuts will affect 39 full and part-time positions, four of which are presently vacant. Staff to receive layoff notice include 22 full-time and 13 part-time workers.

Tomorrow the hospital plans to post new jobs associated with the plan. The total is 40 positions, including 23 full-time and 17 part-time positions.

The Local Health Integration Network says any mental health patient presenting at Ajax and requiring hospitalization will need to be transported to Scarborough. The LHIN also said a shuttle would be needed for family members participating in treatment.

The hospital has never justified the figures it claims will be saved by the move. Initially they claimed in February shifting the beds would save $220,000 per year, now its $600,000. The hospital has refused to be transparent in its costing, including transition and new construction costs.

“It’s not too late for Rouge Valley CEO Rik Ganderton to pick another figure out of the air,” says Thomas. “Every aspect of this plan suggests the public is being misled as to the true reasons behind this move. All these additional costs indicate it’s not about the debt.”