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Nurses impacted by ERH changes: BCNU president

Changes are underway this week at Port Moody’s Eagle Ridge Hospital (ERH) and Queen’s Park Care Centre in New Westminster for people receiving in-patient rehabilitation for stroke, brain injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, hip fractures and amputations.
Christine Sorensen - BCNU
Christine Sorensen, BCNU president.

Changes are underway this week at Port Moody’s Eagle Ridge Hospital (ERH) and Queen’s Park Care Centre in New Westminster for people receiving in-patient rehabilitation for stroke, brain injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, hip fractures and amputations.

A new regional centre has been created at Queen’s Park, resulting in the transfer of the high-intensity rehab unit at ERH to the Royal City facility and the relocation of the Patient Assessment and Transition to Home (PATH) unit from Queen’s Park Care Centre to ERH.

“This will facilitate access to key services and supports available in the hospital like medical imaging, and maintain the complimentary relationship between Eagle Ridge and Royal Columbian Hospitals for patients who require a longer recovery period before they return to their home,” said Tasleem Juma, Fraser Health’s senior consultant for public affairs.

The out-patient rehab clinic, serving Tri-City and Ridge-Meadows patients, will stay at ERH. A respite care program is also shifting from Queen’s Park to Eagle Ridge Manor in PoMo.

The hospital transfers were due to happen in August; however, a Section 54 was placed on Fraser Health by the unions with staff at both institutions. The section requires an employer to give at least 60-days’ notice before work conditions are changed for staff.

Christine Sorensen, BC Nurses’ Union president, told The Tri-City News about 200 nurses are impacted by the moves. And “while we appreciate that the employer has the right and responsibility for care… there should be some due consideration for the nurses’ lives, too.”

“This has been very disruptful and has added stress to their lives,” she said, noting her union continues to receive emails from nurses who have concerns with their new job sites.

Juma contended Fraser Health has worked closely with the BCNU as well as the Hospital Employees Union and the Health Sciences Association to provide employment flexibility.

“This is an important part of the process as we change the way we will deliver rehabilitation services across the region,” Juma responded. “While a staff member’s location and context of work may change, they will remain employed by Fraser Health.”

FHA’s changes started a year ago with the relocation of 19 acute-care-for-the-elderly beds from Royal Columbian Hospital to ERH, and the recruitment of two geriatric doctors.

jcleugh@tricitynews.com
— with files from reporter Diane Strandberg