Eastern Health has begun consultations with staff and unions at the Waterford Hospital ahead of the transition to the new Adult Mental Health and Addictions Centre and indicates no job losses are expected.

NAPE yesterday sounded the alarm, seeking answers related to a memo that prompted questions related to possible cuts to mental health staff and services before the new facility opens.

Eastern Health says it is making efforts to ensure employees are aware of details and progress through the planning and construction stages of the project.

Management and frontline staff not moving to the new facility are being consulted, and staff on units who will not be moving are also being contacted to ensure they are informed of proposed plans for those units.

Eastern Health says they’re at the beginning stages of the process which is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.

The health authority says that while positions may change, they don’t expect any current employee to be without a job.

Patients in the affected units will be assessed for possible placement in the community, long-term care, or transfer to another unit.