The president and CEO of the Vitalite Health Network says the decision to move a youth mental health centre of excellence has been a long time coming.
Gilles Lanteigne says the current youth program at the Restigouche Hospital in Campbellton has been running well with no staff recruitment issues.
He says the decision to move to Moncton had nothing to do with employees or the quality of the existing program.
“They (staff) will have a choice to move when it (youth centre) is moved. But they will stay under Vitalite. At least less impact from that side of things,” he noted.
About 20 staff members are affected by this decision.
He adds the move may still take a few years since there is no existing building in Moncton suitable for the program and a new one would likely have to be designed.
In the meantime, the youth program will continue at the Restigouche Hospital.
