Saint John: The hours of operation at the St. Joseph’s Hospital Urgent Care Department will be reduced to the bare minimum as of May 1st.

“It has been brought to the attention of CUPE Local 1252 that the operating hours of the Urgent Care Department will be reduced by 4 hours by the end of the week,” said CUPE Local 1252 Coordinator Ralph McBride.

“The current hours of operation now runs on a 12-hour day and will be reduced to an 8-hour day service instead. St. Joseph’s Hospital provides a valuable service to the residents of Saint John, especially those who live in the Southern Peninsula.”

“This move is not only going to increase the wait time at the Saint John Regional Hospital, but it will also place unnecessary hardship on people that cannot afford the transportation cost to the regional facility.”

“The people in that area either walk to the facility for care or take a short taxi ride, if this care is needed after hours then they will be looking at a longer more expensive taxi ride which then means they could have to make a choice between food or their health,” said the President of CUPE Local 1252, Norma Robinson.

Norma Robinson is very concerned with the province’s decision, which she feels is unfair to those who are less fortunate.

“Now, the government wants to cut an additional 10% which is the equivalent to $250 millions to Health Care Services. It seems this government is willing to place people who are living at or below the poverty line in jeopardy regardless of their needs.”

“It is important that the people of the Saint John region speak up about this new reduction in service or what will be next. They should be contacting their area MLA to voice their concerns” concluded Robinson.