Dube says no layoffs in Horizon Health

New Brunswick's health minister says there will be no forced layoffs in the Horizon Health Network.

Madeleine Dubé made the announcement in a memo to Miramichi employees obtained by CBC News.

She said she was sending the memo to address rumours in that community.

Dubé said there will be a "very limited number" of what she calls "re-deployments" in Horizon Health – but they will all be absorbed by attrition, including retirements.

She said there'll be no impact on jobs in Miramichi in particular.

Some medical staff in the area, as well as a local opposition MLA, have suggested the community might be targeted for job cuts.

Earlier this summer, union officials said they received a general layoff notice for employees in Horizon Health, the larger of the province's two health authorities.

The 30-day layoff notice was required in case Horizon decided it needed to cut jobs.

Dubé also said there will be no changes to the Miramichi hospital's status as a regional hospital, which brings with it a certain level of service.

That's another fear that's been expressed by employees and the community at large.

Dubé said she has not made a final decision about centralizing trauma services in Bathurst — a move that was recommended in a recent report.

The Horizon Health Network covers the Miramichi, Fredericton and Saint John regions, as well as the Moncton Hospital.