WECHU reducing staff and programming in 2024 by 10 per cent
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit have stated they are reducing its staff in 2024 due to budgetary restraints.
A statement was provided by WECHU CEO Dr. Kenneth Blanchette on Friday, and states that they have begun the process of notifying staff of an overall reduction in the number of unionized and non-union positions by approximately 10 per cent or about 24 positions.
The health unit, like others in the province, is facing a fixed three-year provincial increase of 1 per cent per year, which WECHU states does not keep up with current inflation.
Work associated with COVID-19 response, including outbreaks, case and contact management, and vaccination is ongoing, however provincial funding will no longer be available.
Details related to the approved operational budget will be shared on the WECHU website.
Although the programs listed below will continue to operate, various levels of impact will be experienced, and clients will be notified accordingly.
- Nutrition and Healthy Eating Services
- -Infectious Disease Prevention
- Healthy Growth and Development
- Tobacco and Vaping Prevention
- Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction
- Injury Prevention
- School Health Promotion
- Immunization
- Oral Health Promotion
- Environmental Health Promotion
Blanchette states the health unit is committed to ensuring reductions in services and programs are communicated quickly to clients and partners.