London Hospital Lays Off 85 Nurses Amid Budget Crisis

St. Joseph's Health Care London has announced the layoff of 85 registered nurses providing frontline care at Parkwood Institute. This decision is part of an austerity plan to combat a $4.7 million budget deficit. The hospital intends to reassign these nurses to other positions, including registered practical nurses and personal support workers, stating the move is about "realigning how care is delivered" rather than reducing it.

However, the layoffs have drawn sharp criticism, with one employee calling the move "inhumane" given the escalating mental health care demands in London. The cuts will also affect the COAST team, which pairs nurses with police for mental health crisis intervention, with St. Joe's leaving the program effective January 15. The Ontario Nurses' Association president stated that RNs provide the highest level of care and that eliminating these positions is unacceptable, particularly in a province where such cuts are unique.