Victorian Order of Nurses spares its Nova Scotia branch in restructuring

The Victorian Order of Nurses says it's downsizing and closing branchesin six provinces but continuing operations in Nova Scotia.

The home care and community support organization announced the changesWednesday which includecutting almost a quarter of the jobs at its head office. About 352 people will be affected.

Nova Scotia Health Minister LeoGlavinesaid14 administrative positions in Nova Scotia are being cut, but frontline staff numbers remain the same.

"The big message today from myself as minister of healthand wellness and seniors is to assure Nova Scotians that they'll continue to deliver the service as they have been, and in fact, part of the streamlining is to work on improving service delivery," he told CBC News.

Glavine said theVictorian Order of Nurses, which is the largest provider of home care in the province,has not asked the government for any additional funds to keeprunning.

The minister said he expects VON to continue to operate in the province as changes to the system are made. The province is seeking to bring all home-care providers under one contract.

"They willcertainly be applying to keep the same level of work that they currently have, and in fact, part of their the restructuring is really toput an emphasis on improving their care delivery," Glavine said.

'Hard choices'

VON is ending itsprograms in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and P.E.I.

It has filed for creditorprotection but says its Nova Scotia branch isn't affected.

"We have had to make some hard choices about where we are able to make a difference in the livesof the greatest number of people," Jo-Anne Poirier, president and chief executive officer, said in a press release.

She said the changes will "free up capacity to respond to opportunities in Ontario and Nova Scotia, where we believe we have the best opportunities for sustainability and growth."

The charity says it provides health and wellness services to more than 10,000 people in the two remaining provinces.

Its Nova Scotia branch provides nursing, home care and community support across the province on behalf of the provincial government.

Established in 1897, the Victorian Order of Nurses has more than6,000employees across the country.