Struggling with a $5.6 million budget challenge, the North Bay Regional Health Centre has announced plans to cut 40 full- and part-time jobs, an increase in parking rates and changes to some services. A statement Thursday from hospital spokesperson Kimberley McElroy said the changes will be implemented in the next six months. “In order to meet budget requirements, (the hospital) is making the difficult, but necessary, adjustments to its budget and operations for an annual reduction of $5.6 million when fully implemented,” the statement said. Parking fee hike in January While 40 positions are being eliminated, the hospital said actual layoffs could be much lower when retirement and attrition are factored in, as well as the fact 14 new positions are being created. Parking rates will increase Jan. 1, with one-time exit passes increasing by $1.25 to $7.25. Other parking fees include a day pass for $10, a week pass for $30, two weeks for $45 and monthly passes for $65. Structurally, the hospital plans to cut 20 per cent of physician leadership positions, with no change to the actual number of doctors working at the hospital. Hospital CEO Paul Heinrich said in the release that officials explored other ways to cut their budget by two per cent. “Hospitals face a number of complex challenges, including operational pressures, financial constraints and an increased demand for services,” Heinrich said. “Our priority is always to protect and maintain access to health care.” Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said that the province will continue to work with the hospital “to ensure it has the resources needed to provide high-quality care to patients.” In a statement to CTV News, Fedeli added that Ontario hospitals are required to plan in a way that supports patients and ensures long-term stability. “The changes announced as part of their long-term planning will not impact patients in North Bay,” he said. Fedeli said that annual funding for the North Bay Regional Health Centre has grown by $49.3 million since 2020, what the province says represents a nearly 20 per cent increase. “This is a significant increase in patient-focused funding – and it’s why the changes announced as part of their long-term planning will not impact patients in North Bay," he said. He’s aware of the stress job cuts have on staff, doctors, volunteers and patients. “(The hospital) is focused on working collaboratively with the Government of Ontario to find both funding and operational solutions to create a more innovative and sustainable future for the communities we serve,” Heinrich said. Union group responds Michael Hurley, the president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, said the cuts are in the neighbourhood of five per cent of the hospital budget. “You’ve got the hospital pretending that these cuts will have no impact on patient care and we say that’s hogwash,” he said. Hurley also called the province to address funding shortfalls in the sector. “The Ford government can’t escape its responsibility to provide funding so that hospitals, like the North Bay Regional Health Centre, can provide the care that they need to,” he said. Hurley said “heavy cuts” are coming to the hospital’s emergency department. With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalist Eric Taschner
