File photo of London-Fanshawe MPP Teresa Armstrong by Mike Vlasveld, Blackburn News.File photo of London-Fanshawe MPP Teresa Armstrong by Mike Vlasveld, Blackburn News.
London

Sattler, Armstrong Call For Investigation Into Dismissal Of Head Nurse

Two local New Democrat MPPs are calling for an external review into the dismissal of London Health Sciences Centre's Chief Nursing Executive.

London-West MPP Peggy Sattler and London-Fanshawe MPP Teresa Armstrong sent an open letter on Tuesday to Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins, requesting he investigate the matter.

Vanessa Burkoski was terminated from her position with the LHSC last week. The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario has spoken out against the firing saying it was directly related to Burkoski's advocacy work with the group.

The letter states "these are troubling allegations that raise serious concerns for our constituents about decisions made at London Health Sciences Centre. As such, we believe that the facts of this case need to be established by an independent, external investigation."

Sattler and Armstrong go on to say the Public Hospital Act authorizes the Minister to appoint a hospital inspector to conduct a review and report back. The pair urge that the report then be made public.

Burkoski was president of the RNAO when it delivered a report in May that criticized hospitals for replacing registered nurses with cheaper, less qualified health care workers.

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