VON closure leaves province scrambling to replace services

Health Minister Victor Boudreau says his department will make it a priority to replace health-care services that were stopped Wednesday by the unexpected closure of Victorian Order of Nurses in the province.

• VON closing in New Brunswick and 5 other provinces

VON Canada announced Wednesday it was shutting down operations in New Brunswick and five other provinces and filing for bankruptcy protection.

Boudreausaid his department was caught by surprise by Wednesday's announcement.

"We foundthisoutyesterdaymorninglikeeveryoneelse so there is a lot of work that needs to be done and we're prepared to do that," he said.

"We're confidentthat we are going to be able to replace these community-based services with other service providers and makesure that NewBrunswickerscontinue to receive the services they need."

In New Brunswick, VON nurses provided a range of health-care services, including flu clinics, a healthy baby and mother program, foot-care clinics, pre-travel clinics and operated a fetal alcoholspectrum disorder centre of excellence.

The closure is leaving 25 full-time employees and 93 part-time and casual nurses and staff out of a job.

Boudreau declined to name possible alternate service providers, either not-for profit or for-profit agencies. He also said the provincial government could also step in to fill the gaps.

"We have our extra-mural program. Can some of this be done by them?" he said.

Boudreau said officials in his department are working to "identify the gaps" left by the shutting down of VON and will then determine how to replace those services.

"VON aren't the only ones who provide flu shots," he said.

"There are alternative service providers as well. We'll just have to work with those alternative providers to make sure the gaps get filled."

Boudreau wouldn't put a date on when the government will be able to replace the VON services. But the health minister said his department will have to act swiftly on addressing the VON closure.

"It is something that is going to be given priority status within the department," he said.