Monday, July 07, 2003

Transfers and layoffs affect B.C. mental health clients (Canada)
National Union of Public and General Employees press release - "The British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) is raising concerns over the safety of people with severe mental and behavioural problems – as well as community members and health workers – following notice of client transfers and layoffs at Willow Clinic in New Westminster. Officials with the provincial Liberal ministry for children and family development have laid out plans to transfer up to half of Willow Clinic’s 21 permanent residents into various community care settings by the end of this year. The jobs of 12 skilled health care workers are also being eliminated. The government has indicated this is the first phase of a process to close Willow Clinic altogether. "