Nurses rally against health-care cuts, hundreds gather at Manitoba legislature

WINNIPEG — Hundreds of nurses from across the province gathered in the Manitoba legislature protesting cuts to health services Wednesday afternoon.

The’Putting Patients First’ rally is protesting the recent closures to emergency room departments and other healthcare cuts. The nurses union said they are concerned patient care could be compromised by government cuts to front line services.

READ MORE: Winnipeg health care worker worried about jobs security amid budget cut talks

The province has directed all departments including health to eliminate 15 per cent of management positions and has told the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to cut their annual budget by three per cent or $83 million.

Three of Winnipeg’s six emergency rooms are also closing down, which the province says will improve patient care and reduce hospital wait times. Concordia Hospital, Victoria General Hospital and Seven Oaks General Hospital will no longer have emergency departments.

READ MORE: ‘Doing nothing was not an option’: 3 Winnipeg emergency rooms closing down

The Tories has repeatedly promised not to cut any front line positions, despite the ambitious fiscal and restructuring goals.

Many of the nurses at the rally were also in town for their annual general meeting, which was held Tuesday.