The Bethany Care Centre in Cochrane will be losing seven full-time staff members as of April 8.
According to Greer Black, president and CEO of the Bethany Care Society, the layoffs are due to changes implemented by Alberta Health Services (AHS).
“AHS has changed their funding formula and so we have to live within our budget, so we’re having to adjust our staffing to meet those changes,” said Black. “Staff are going through the change process right now that we have agreed to with the unions.”
The new funding model Black refers to assesses each resident’s level of care and assigns a funding value based on where the resident’s care needs rank against a provincial average. These funding values are weighed more heavily for residents with complex care needs and rehabilitation-focused care.
Black said he does not yet have a dollar figure on how much the Cochrane location is set to lose, as it will depend on how negotiations with the union progress and ultimately which specific positions are terminated.
Black said health-care aids and licensed practical nurses are the two positions on the chopping block, and there’s no denying that the cutbacks are going to be noticeable.
“For sure it’s going to affect care,” Black said of the looming cutbacks. “We’re trying to minimize that. We’re going to provide safe care and provide a safe working environment, but there’s no doubt that it’s going to have an impact and it’s unfortunately an impact on the people who built this province…people’s moms and dads and grandparents.”
Black said they are looking at their volunteer base and that any time or funds people can donate would be helpful.
“We appreciate the great support we’ve had from the Cochrane community and we hope that people will work with us as we go through these changes.”
Bethany Care provides care for 800 long-term care residents at six locations in central and southern Alberta.
“We must live within our resources,” said Black. “As a charitable organization, we are grateful for the contributions we receive from the community that enable us to provide value-added programs, services and equipment.”
