NDP: Middlesex-London health unit faces layoffs as a result of Ford government cuts

LONDON – London’s NDP MPPs are calling for immediate support after Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) announced they will be forced to lay off staff because of a ‘significant budget shortfall’. MPPs Peggy Sattler (London West), Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre), and Teresa Armstrong (London-Fanshawe) released the following statement:

“This is exactly what we feared would happen when Ford started funneling resources away from the public health care system into private pockets. Instead of strengthening our public health care system, Ford has weakened it by diverting resources, and he’s driven health care workers out of the sector with anti-worker wage caps.

People are already struggling to access family doctors and other primary care options, and Ford only seems to care about enriching wealthy insiders. This has to stop. MLHU needs immediate support to continue providing vital, life-saving services for our community, and Ford needs to wake up to the consequences of his disastrous policies”.

Background

• MLHU reports they are not able to sustain historic service levels as a result of budget pressures
• 17 positions are being cut, including 13 public health nurses
• Important programs that are losing funding include school nursing programs, public health education, and funding for public awareness campaigns