The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions says Espanola’s hospital isn’t getting enough money to operate properly. Council president Michael Hurley says the hospital is being short-changed by $1.8 million. Hurley says the effect is six fewer nurses and 18 less people overall who aren’t around to provide care in various departments.
The report also finds that the Espanola hospital has a higher than average re-admission rate. Hurley says Espanola is not the exception. He says across Ontario, the Liberals have under-funded hospitals by $4.8 billion resulting in skeletal staff and reduced care for patients. Espanola hospital CEO Nicole Haley is away and was not available to comment on the hospital council’s numbers.