More cuts through attrition as health board administration consolidated

A cost-saving measure that will see administrative support at four provincial health boards merge will result in further public sector job losses through attrition than firstannounced.

Health MinisterSteve Kentsaid the province will save between $18and $26millionannually when the changes arefully implemented.

"In terms of potential savings in positions, a reduction of between 180and 230 full-time equivalent positions would be eliminated over the five year period and we are going to do that largely throughattrition,"Kent said inthe House of Assembly Monday.

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Those job losses are in addition to 1,420 public sector positions that will be cut through attrition by 2020.

By merging the administration duties of the province's health boards, Kent said it will lead to a cheaper and smaller workforce.

Kent said it is too early to tell where the new centralized agency will be located or how many people it will employ.