Nurses working at the Olds Hospital and Care Centre are planning to carry out an “information walk” on Oct. 4 to raise public awareness about a decrease in nursing hours at the hospital.
Heather Venneman, a registered nurse at the hospital and president of the local chapter of the United Nurses of Alberta union that represents nurses at the hospital, is co-organizing the walk with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, which represents licensed practical nurses at the hospital.
She said while Alberta Health Services is negotiating a new contract with nurses across the province, it is continuing to make cuts to nursing positions and hours at hospitals including the Olds facility.
The walk will start at 1 p.m. at the Westview Co-op off of Highway 27 and will make its way to the hospital.
Venneman said she is expecting between 20 and 30 nurses to take part in the walk and the aim of the event is to gain public support for local nurses.
