Al’s
Think Summer! Boats
LAWN & GARDEN
Golf Carts Motorcycles
Call Now For Your Free 2017 Quote
Lawnmowers
* Landscaping * Lawn Programs * Lawn Cutting * Irrigation Systems
www.alslawnandgarden.ca
352-4955
YOUR Independent Community Newspaper THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017
Vol. 5 Edition 27
CKHA to cut staff, improve services By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
As changes continue at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, the overseers plan to cut staff, but say they will still be able to improve patient care as well as increase spending for needed medical equipment. The plan is to cull 26 full-time and 15 part-time positions at the alliance. Rob Devitt, provincially appointed supervisor for the alliance, and Lori Marshall, president and CEO of the CKHA, said the cuts would mostly come through attrition. Others will come via retirement package offerings. The CKHA goes through an annual churn of about 70 staff a year, Marshall said, so as some people leave, they will not be replaced. Cuts have already taken place at the top, Devitt said. Overall there has been a 22-per-cent reduction in management
positions, as 19 jobs were eliminated. He said the physicians led the way in the effort to increase efficiencies, as there are now fewer physician leaders with lower compensation packages. Along with other improvements, that led to the alliance saving about $2 million annually. While the pending job reductions may have some staff worried about their future at the alliance, Devitt said the level of anxiety among alliance staff currently is unwarranted, but understandable. “We’re talking about people’s jobs,” he said. “But at the end of the year, things will be a lot smoother than what people are thinking now.” Dr. Pervez Faruqi, chief of staff, believes the physicians are on board with the changes. “Physician leaders took the lead with this transformation. They helped start the restructuring process,” he said.
Continued on page 3
131 Park Ave. E., Chatham 519-354-4127
batteryboy.ca
FREE!
Oh Canada!
Sarah Schofield/Special to The Chatham Voice
Students at Tecumseh Public School celebrated their national pride for Canada Day on June 28 with an assembly filled with slideshows, singing performances and even a message from Chatham-Kent’s town crier, George Sims.
Designer Floors for Less from Mannington Adura Max $
3.99 sq.ft.
Mannington Luxury Vinyl Sheet $
1.89 sq.ft.
Mannington Restoration Laminate $
3.49 sq.ft.
519-354-6121 www.sacwalflooringcentres.com
Best Price Guaranteed! Satisfaction Guaranteed! No Mess . . . No Stress Guaranteed!
NOW OPEN AT 418 St.Clair St.