Grace Hospital workers rally to protect facility
Last Updated: Monday, February 1, 2010 | 2:17 PM ET
CBC News
Healthcare workers held a rally outside Toronto's Grace Hospital Monday, asking the province to guarantee the hospital will not be moved or the beds auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The Salvation Army, which has run the Church Street hospital for more than 100 years, recently announced it wants to get out of the hospital business.
Hospital workers say there is much at stake — 220 jobs, 119 beds, and a long-term-care facility that is an integral part of the community.
The province has delayed issuing a request for proposals for another organization to operate the facility and will meet with the hospital's board of trustees on Tuesday.
Workers want the province to appoint an official to broker a transfer of ownership from the Salvation Army to the board.
Workers at the rally said they are concerned that the Grace could be moved, and its beds and equipment allocated to other hospitals.
They point out that the hospital is in good financial shape and has never run a deficit.
The Grace is in Toronto Centre where a by-election is scheduled for Thursday. Liberal candidate Glen Murray said he has assurances from Ontario's health minister that the hospital will not close.
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