(SAINT JOHN) May 1, 2016 - Horizon is aware of the protest as well as the petition regarding the staffing level changes in the Children's Pediatric Unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital. The Child Life Program there has not been eliminated. There has been, and will continue to be, a full time Child Life Specialist on site for the pediatric program. The activity worker position will not be replaced.

Work plans are being adjusted accordingly to minimize any impact on children receiving these services. This change is in line with Horizon's effort to standardize workloads, units and departments across all of our facilities, a process that has been underway since our establishment in 2008.

The Child Life program has been recognized as a key component of our pediatric services in Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton for many years. For this reason, we are maintaining the program in each of these sites. The nature of pediatric care has changed significantly over the years, with a noticeable decrease in the number of pediatric admissions. As in other regions within Horizon, a Child Life Specialist will remain on the unit to provide Child Life programs and services.  We know how important this service is to families and we are confident that we will be able to continue offering compassionate and supportive care and service to children and their families in the future. 

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For more information contact:

Stephanie Neilson
Media Relations
1-877-499-1899
Media@HorizonNB.ca
www.HorizonNB.ca