Nurses rally over Memorial hospital bed closures

The union representing the majority of registered nurses in Sudbury is voicing its concerns.

Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1623 are rallying against the closure of 30 beds at Memorial Hospital. They gathered outside Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci's office Monday morning to broadcast the message that closing the beds will thrust frail seniors into a void of non-existent home care support.

Dave Shelefontiuk, the locals union president, said the protestors chose MPP Rick Bartolucci's office for the rally because they feel the MPP has been absent in advocating for adequate health care funding for Sudbury.

"The Liberals are pumping up their new plan about having more assisted living at home or different alternatives," Shelefontiuk said. "But we were here a year and a half ago and they promised us they were putting money into different alternatives. None of that has materialized."

Shelefontiuk said the group is concerned about what is going to happen to patients and seniors in general regarding their health care.

He added he has attempted to contact Bartolucci several times for answers on the topic, but has yet to hear back.

Bartolucci was not present at the rally this morning.