Victor Boudreau reveals replacement plan for VON services

Health-care services dropped by VON Canada in New Brunswick in their sudden closure announced last month will be taken over by a patchwork of provincial departments and programs.

• VON closing in New Brunswick and 5 other provinces

Vitalit Health Network will start providing provincial services for the prevention, diagnosis and intervention in cases of fetal alcohol syndrome disorder. That will replace a centre of excellence operated by VON in Miramichi.

The provincial health network will also take on nursing care at the Pierre Caissie Centrein Moncton, which is a residential program providing assessment services to youth with challenging needs.

Health Minister Victor Boudreauannounced the measures Friday, saying he expects the solution to be permanent.

Boudreau said seniors in need of services such as foot care or other home health-care services should contact the nearest office of the province's Extra-Mural hospital program.

"A nurse can make a visit to assess the level of need and help determine if they need ongoing care from Extra-Mural, or they will help link them to a community service provider," said Boudreau.

The provision of seasonal flu clinics, well clinics and pre-travel immunizations can be obtained from family doctors, nurse practitioners and, in some cases, pharmacists.

The cost to the health-care budget of taking on the extra services is not yet known, said Boudreau.

Social workers in the Department of Social Services are in the process of making alternate arrangements for 11 clients who were in VON-runday programs for seniors.

VON Canada announced Nov. 25 it was shutting down operations in five provinces, including New Brunswick.

The closure results in 25 full-time employees and 93 part-time and casual employees losing their jobs.