At2 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 12, 1996 Hospital gets budget low down this week MONTHS OF uncertainty end this week as Miils Memorial Hospital and it’s summed up in one word — money. ; The financially-strapped hospital will tcarn what its budget is for the next year, whether it has new contracts - with unionized workers and possibly how ill bring: in layoffs to cutback on ¢x- penditures, If the provincial govern- ment stands by earlier pro- nouncemients the hospital will receive at least. the same amount of moncy as it did last year. But even a hold-the-line budget from the provincial government — this’ll be the fourth year in a row Mills hasn't received an increase —~ Means a cut because of -inflation. Bul tentative deals with unionized workers mean the hospital will have to dig down deep to pay for al least a one per cent pay hike. Mills belongs to a provin- cial group of health care facilities which is now voling on whether it'll ap- prove those fentative deals, Unionized workers have already voted to accept the contracls suggested Jast month by medialor Vince Ready. The big unknown is whether Mills will have to pay for increases on ils own or whether it'll receive help from the province. “Tf nal, Um in trouble and if I do, I’m OK,” said chief hospital official Michael Leisinger last week. He estinales that a gencral one per-cent’ pay hike: will cost the hospital between $80,000 and $100,000. Leisinger’s been told the provincial government will do what it can to help oul, . And as Mills works on its budget, its governing board tonight may hear the latest news on plans to lay off workers. The hospital last month announced “it wants to drastically cut its licensed practical. nurse “workforce and replace them with regis- tered nurses, That's tied to a plan to centralize’ services on the hospital’ S main medical ser- vives Noor, The ‘goal is to cut wages and to help balance the hos- pilai’s budget but it’s being opposed by the -practical nurses, , Nurses needed MILLS MEMORIAL Hospital hopes it can solve a temporary shortage of skilled nurses which has affected its intensive care unit and labour delivery room. The problem is that more full time registered nurses than formal are off work for one reason or another, says hospi- tal chief executive officer Michael Leisinger. And the hospital’s list of nurses available for casual work isn't what it should be. Casual workers aren’t obliged to come in when called and do, especially during the summer vacation months, tend to take themselves off the on-call List, Hospitals generally reduce surgical services during the summer months to take vacations into account. But the double crunch of more {ull time nurses being gone and fewer casuals available has hurt efforts to pro- Vide Fully-staffed intensive care and delivery services. “We've really had a serious shortage of people, especial- ly in the specially areas,’’ said Leisinger. ‘‘lt’s caused us a fair amount of overtime.” He said the hospital has ad-_ vertised heavily lo beef up its casual list. , “We hope it’s starling to case up a bit,”” Leisinger added of the nursing shortage. ‘This is not a question of the hos- pital not wanting to spend money.” Terrace Minor Hockey Association [REGISTRATION & SWAP | SATURDAY AUGUST 17 |, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: -— CALL ANN 638-1552 eves: convocation ceremany, on September 4, 1996, CONGRATULATIONS MARCIA Local Caledonia graduate, Marcia Gune class of 85°), received her Bachelor af Ars dearee in the disciplines ut Anthtopology and Sociolopy from Simon Fraser Univenily on hime 6, 1996.2 Maret Guna, daughter of Ray and Sylvia Guno, ware her Nispa' a regalia. as, she and olher graduates participated in Siman Fraser's antitial spring Marcia was abo one of five successful candidates chosen from 23 applicants for tho Masters af Ais program in the cisciplines of pena dnd Suciolagy. She wall be starting the Masters progrant Marcia was botn in Prince Rupert 8.0, but was raised in Terrace where she allended primary, elementary, and high school, from Ray Guna New Aivarish, BC. Unionized workers met with hospital management last weck as part-of a two- month period in which ideas and opinions are. being sought. : The hospital wants to have ils layoff plan nailed down in early July. kikkkk Also crucial to the bospi- tal’s effort to save money is renovating the main-medical services «Noar- to- ceatralize services, ~-An initial cost estimate of $800,000 has now ballooned to $1.4 million and Mills is now waiting to hear if if} receive a grant from the provincial government to at ledst cover a portion of the cosls. Mills has also asked the new regional health board for money. Leisinger said. Mills -can pay for some of the cost through its surplus but can’t afford to pay .for all of the work, The renovations will in- volve bringing the wards closer together. and estab- lishing one central nursing ‘slation. That'll mean fewer people will: be needed. and . that translates into layoffs. CHAIRS ON SALE FROM This deep-cushioned chaise recliner with stitched pillow-back and T seat will be an oasis of relaxation wherever it resides. THE ULTIMATE FATHER’S DAY GIFT! OVER 50 CHAIRS IN STOCK ~TO CHOOSE FROM! $449° i, ave pense Totem’s Countrywide Furniture & Appliance We Now "| Accept... 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