CUPE Local 1623 Concerned About Overcrowding and Patient Safety

By Stew Kernan

The union representing some hospital workers at Health Sciences North is raising concerns about overcrowding and patient safety.

The President of CUPE local 1623 Dave Shelefontiuk says they are at over 100% occupancy while most other hospitals are in the 85% range.

That has meant some patients are being temporarily housed in tub rooms and hallways.

Shelefontiuk says hospitals have been under a 5-year funding freeze and a 1% increase announced in the provincial budget doesn’t come close to meeting demands when costs are increasing by over 4% a year.