2 March 2006

Kedgley: Cut Management Rather Than Nurses

"This district healthboard has 568 staff paid over $100,000 including 16 over $300,000. If savings need to be made, why not look to the salaries in management?

"Trying to squeeze savings out of nursing staff is misguided when nurses earn only half the yearly income of many in management, and when the skill and experience of nurses is the backbone on which the the entire hospital depends.

"Sacrificing experienced nursing staff to save money is not in the best interests of patients, other medical professionals or the long-term future of the hospital. At a time when attracting and retaining good nurses is a challenge, why would the board chairman, Wayne Brown, even speculate about skimping on nurses."

ENDS

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