In Brief: Don’t cut health care to eliminate the deficit — poll

A new poll suggests Canadians do not want health care cuts in the fight to eliminate the deficit. Conducted for the Canadian Medical Association by IPSOS Reid, 83 per cent of Canadians surveyed said that it is urgent the Federal government address its deficit, but 89 per cent said they preferred the Harper government pursue a long-term deficit reduction strategy to protect important program spending. Only 16 per cent supported reducing spending on health care. … The Ottawa Hospital is eliminating 300,000 hours of registered nursing care per year as part of its most recent cuts. According to the Ontario Nurses’ Association, 70 RN positions were cut last week and a further 120 vacant positions were deleted. The Ottawa Hospital is also eliminating 55 CUPE positions and little over four FTEs among OPSEU represented positions. The layoffs come at a time when Ottawa area hospitals are facing record crowding. The Ottawa Sun reports that Queensway Carelton Hospital was at 113 per cent capacity last Friday – the highest level of crowding in the hospital’s 34-year history. The Ottawa Hospital reported similar overcrowding at 105 per cent occupancy. Both hospitals are cancelling elective surgery as a result. … CUPE is calling for a demonstration in Cornwall at 12 Noon today. CUPE is calling on the province to completely bailout the Cornwall hospital. Cornwall had received $5 million to offset its $8 million deficit earlier this year. The rally takes place a the McConnell Street site of the Cornwall Community Hospital.