Leamington Hospital Fires Volunteers

A bitter dispute over operation of the Leamington District Memorial Hospital gift shop has led to the auxilliary volunteer board being fired.

It's an acrimonious situation that started with a volunteer of the auxilliary who worked at the gift shop developing health issues.

The auxilliary president wanted to remove that person, who is the mother of a senior hospital official, but was told NO.

In response, Maureen Sutherland threatened to close the shop to which she says there was an immediate response from hospital administrators to fire her and the Auxiliary Vice President.

Hospital spokesman Bill Baker says the hospital has taken over and has legal advice to say little, adding that it involves a personnel matter.

Baker stresses the volunteers are important to the hospital and the gift shop remains open.