OCHU

For release: 6:00 a.m. March 4, 2010Hospital Room Highlighting Risks of Hospital Acquired Infections Kicks off Northern Ontario Tour in Sudbury

Sudbury Ontario…The union representing 1,000 nurses, cleaners, maintenance, clerical, dietary and support staff at Sudbury Regional Hospital will unveil a portable hospital room used to highlight the risks of hospital acquired infections (HAIs). Hospital acquired infections are a leading cause of death in Canada. It is estimated that some 12,000 Canadians die from HAIs, about 5,000 of those are in Ontario.

CUPE Local 1623 President Dave Shelefontiuk is hosting the northern Ontario tour. The room will go on to visit North Bay, Mattawa, Espanola, Blind River, Cochrane, Hearst, Matheson, Manitoulin Island, Little Current, Richard’s Landing, Sault Ste. Marie, Geraldton, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Fort Frances, Emo and Kenora, once spring arrives.

Mr. Shelefontiuk, says “ starting the tour in Sudbury is very timely because the Sudbury Regional Hospital has just announced cuts of 41,000 hours from its cleaning budget. The hospital has been struggling to get its acquired infection rates down which are above the provincial average. These cuts mean infections like C Difficile, VRE and MRSA will spread to more patients. Of equal concern is an expansion of the contracting-out of cleaning at the hospital. Contracted out cleaning has been identified as an unsafe and dangerous practice and has been banned in all hospitals in Scotland and Wales as a result.”

For information contact:
Dave Shelefontiuk, President CUPE 1623, 705-929-8457
Lise Morrisette, Secretary-Treasurer, CUPE Local 1623 566 7878
Michael Hurley, President, OCHU: 416-884-0770

For release: 10:00 a.m. March 3, 2010Media Advisory

What: Kick-off of northern Ontario tour with portable hospital room
When: 10 a.m. March 4, 2010
Where: 868 Falconbridge Road, Sudbury

Who: CUPE Local 7811 President Dave Shelefontiuk
Lise Morrisette, Secretary-Treasurer, CUPE Local 1623

Why: To highlight hospital acquired infections- a leading cause of death in Ontario


For information contact:
Dave Shelefontiuk, President CUPE 1623, 705-929-8457
Lise Morrisette, Secretary-Treasurer, CUPE Local 1623 566 7878
Michael Hurley, President, OCHU: 416-599-0770

Patients at risk with huge cuts and contracting of cleaning at Sudbury Regional Hospital union charges

Sudbury Ontario…The union representing 1,000 nurses, cleaners, maintenance, clerical, dietary and support staff at Sudbury Regional Hospital charged today that the cut of 41,000 cleaning hours and an expansion of the contracting-out of cleaning will lead to a steep increase in the rates of hospital acquired infections and put patients at risk. Hospital acquired infections are a leading cause of death in Canada.

Ontario Council of Hospital Unions president Michael Hurley, says “ the hospital has been struggling to get its acquired infection rates down. They are above the provincial average. Cutting 41,000 cleaning hours means infections like C Difficile, VRE and MRSA will spread to more patients. Of equal concern is an expansion of the contracting-out of cleaning at the hospital. Contracted out cleaning has been identified as an unsafe and dangerous practice and has been banned in hospitals in Scotland and Wales as a result.”

Dave Shelefontiuk, President of CUPE Local 1623, called on Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci to speak up for his community. “ Sudbury Regional Hospital has an $18 million deficit and under the McGuinty government’s rules, that’s not allowed. But recently the province found $14 million of the $16 million deficit for the Niagara Health System, and at Cornwall Community Hospital $5 million of an $8 million deficit. Mr. Bartolucci needs to be more effective for Sudbury.”

For information contact:
Dave Shelefontiuk, President CUPE 1623, 705-929-8457
Lise Morrisette, Secretary-Treasurer, CUPE Local 1623 566 7878
Michael Hurley, President, OCHU: 416-884-0770

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