The union that represents workers at the Waterford Hospital says Eastern Health is already planning cuts to beds and staffing levels even though the new mental health and addictions facility is years off.

NAPE says Eastern Health notified in a memo last week that 40 beds are being transitioned in the coming weeks and months to “community and long-term care” as part of the process of moving to the new facility.

President Jerry Earle says they have more questions than answers at this point. The memo outlines a plan to dwindle the number of geriatric transition beds to zero from 40 by the end of the year but does not say where the beds are going.

Earle says the impact on jobs is not immediately clear but it appears as if the number of licenced practical nurses (LPNs) will go to none from the current 25 by the end of the process. NAPE says it also appears that current vacant positions will not be filled.

Earle laments that it’s no good to have a shiny new building if you don’t have staff or services available.