Vitalit confirms health network plans to cut 99 hospital beds

The VitalitHealth Network'sGilles Lanteignehas confirmed bed cuts are part of a plan submitted to the province's health minister.

At a newsconference Tuesday afternoon, three weeks after part of the plan was leaked, Chief Executive OfficerLanteigneconfirmedthe information reported by Radio-Canada earlier this month.

"What we've proposed to the minister is to close these 99 beds, but recuperate half of the savings that the closure of these beds will generate, so that we can invest in these services that we feel are much more appropriate to the needs of the population,"said Lanteigne.

Acadian Peninsula mobilizing against bed cuts

The plan outlines cuts across New Brunswick, including20 bedsin theBeausjourZone, 26in the Northwest, 12 inRestigoucheand41 inAcadie-Bathurst.

$5million in savings

Lanteigne says the plan is part of Vitalit's effort to become more efficient and save the province money.

"Annualizedsaving, that means when it's fully operational, should generate approximately $10 million annually," said Lanteigne.

We can think of respite care, we can think of daycare, day centresThere are so many things that can be put in place that could offer that alternative.- Gilles Lanteigne,Vitalit health Network

To implement the plan, the network will have to re-invest half that amount approximately $5 million.

The hospital bed cuts would factor heavily into those numbers.

According to Vitalit, close to 24 per cent of the network's beds are occupied by seniors waiting to be placed in nursing homes.

Part of the proposed plan is to utilize outside services, rather than have seniors wait in hospital.

"We can think of respite care, we can think of daycare, day centres, day hospitals. There are so many things that can be put in place that could offer that alternative to the population," said Lanteigne.

"We don't want to close or transform these beds without having these options fully thoughtout and analysed on the precise impact that it could have on the elderly."

The plan has yet to be approved by the provincial government, and will take 12 to18 months to be implemented.

Emergency services preserved

Lanteignesaid the network plans on maintaining existingservices, but will continue its analysis of emergency operations to render them more effective.

The plan also includes measures to maximize Extra-Mural services across the health network, in an effort to offer alternatives to hospital stays.

It also mentions deploying a transcription and voice recognition service for health care professionals,and better utilizingtelehealthprogramsto make the network more efficient.

Citizens, though, are still concerned.

InCaraquet, a committee called "Action H" has been advocating since last wintertoretain emergency and hospital services.

Unless we put something else in placeto replace those beds, we won't be able to take care of our elderly.- Norma McGraw, community group organizer

And whennews of bed cuts leaked to the mediarecently, community groups on the Acadian Peninsulawere concerned.

Apublic meeting in Tracadiedrew more than a hundred people.

"Unless we put something else in placeto replace those beds, we won't be able to take care of our elderly,"said committee organizerNorma McGrawafter that meeting.

McGraw, a former healthcare worker, and her committee wroteto Cathy Rogers, the minister of social development, and Health Minister Victor Boudreau.

McGraw saidshe received a phone call from Boudreau assuring her no decision would be taken on whether to accept the plan until next spring's provincial budget.

"We hope that we'll be consulted by the government.That's what we want. We don't want just to be told there will be cutsWe want to be part of the solution."

Vitalit officials say they plan to continue consultation with community partners.