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Bluewater Health officials say 16 people may lose their jobs as a way to balance the hospital's budget.
Like many Ontario hospitals, Sarnia's health care provider has been trying to find ways to deal with a ballooning deficit. By-law, hospitals are not allowed to run deficits. At Bluewater Health, there is a $1.7 million shortfall in the current fiscal year and officials anticipated by the end of the 2009-2010 fiscal year the deficit could be as high as $5 million.
Sue Denomy is the president and CEO of Bluewater Health. She says the board of the hospital this week approved the $157 million balanced budget. It includes the reduction of 25 positions, some of which are not currently filled. Denomy says as many as 16 jobs in different departments across the hospital will be eliminated. Denomy hopes most of the jobs will be downsized through early retirements.
"Our plan is to continue to work through the collective agreements and work with the union leadership to minimize the actual involuntary job loss at the end of the day," says Denomy. "There are some options available within the collective agreements to consider potential retirements."
The hospital is also changing the way laboratory work is done. In the past, doctors in Sarnia would send their blood work to the local hospital to be analysed. Bluewater Health spent $250,000 on that work. Denomy says Sarnia doctors will be asked to send their samples to private labs instead. It won't cost patients money since the Ontario Health Insurance Program will still foot the bill.
Denomy says the hospital is also looking at ways of sharing services with other regional hospitals, especially in management areas.
"We already share some management positions and when those become available we look at whether it is an opportunity to share with (other hospitals) - Chatham is the closest."
The plan also calls for hospital workers to make "more conscientious use and reduction of supplies" and the use of group purchasing to cut medication costs, as well as "maximizing opportunities for revenue generation, including where applicable through OHIP guidelines, patient services and procedures."
More than 2,000 soldiers attended a ramp ceremony Sunday on the tarmac of Kandahar Airfield to honour the 108th Canadian solider to be killed in Afghanistan since Canada's mission began in 2002.
Sapper Sean David Greenfield, pictured in this undated photo, was killed Saturday when his armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the volatile Zhari district west of Kandahar city. (DND) Sapper Sean Greenfield, 25, died Saturday after his armoured vehicle hit a roadside bomb about 40 kilometres west of Kandahar City in Zhari district.
He was a member of 24 Field Engineer Squadron, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment based out of Petawawa, Ont., serving with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment battle group.
Before comrades placed his flag-draped casket aboard a military aircraft for the final journey home, Padre Roy Laudenorio described Greenfield as a dependable combat engineer and diver.
"He was passionate in his love of music, playing the guitar and singing. His friendliness, his generous big smile, and his contagious positive disposition towards work will be greatly missed by his friends and section members," the padre said. Greenfield was killed during an operation to find the same kind of improvised explosive device that took his life, said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, commander of Canadian and NATO forces in Kandahar.
Thompson said the multinational operation is necessary to help make the countryside safer for Canadian and international troops.
The general described Greenfield as an exceptionally fit soldier who recently completed a combat diver's course and aspired to join Canada's elite JTF2 special forces team.
Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean said she and her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, were overwhelmed when they heard that another Canadian Forces soldier had been killed.
"Attacks like these are ongoing and violence continues to rage in Afghanistan. The bravery and determination with which Canadian soldiers conduct their work and face terror on a daily basis is truly astounding," she said.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement offering his condolences.
"The Canadian mission in Afghanistan is a difficult one, but the Canadian forces are making a difference in the lives of the Afghan people by maintaining security and stability that will allow the country to rebuild and look to the future," Harper said.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said he wanted to extend his "deepest sympathies to the loved ones of Sapper Greenfield and to the entire armed forces family."
"Canadians owe a tremendous debt to the men and women of our Canadian Forces for their courage and sacrifice for our country," Ignatieff said. "Our thoughts are with them on this difficult day."
Eleven Canadian soldiers have been killed since December by roadside bombs in Afghanistan. Greenfield was the second Canadian soldier to be killed in an explosion this year.
From NBC's Les Kretman and Domenico Montanaro
The Secret Service has arrested and is questioning a 30-year-old man for tossing a shoe this afternoon over the South fence of the White House.
Officers identifed the man as Ryan Hill. No hometown was given.
Hill has been charged with disorderly conduct. He's still undergoing questioning, but it's likely he won't be held, sources said.
Sounds like he was channelling this guy...
