The Safe Bed program in Kenora will be down to two beds in a couple of months.

That’s according the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Sara Dias is the executive director of the Kenora office and says that’s because they are losing nurses that help operate the program.

“We’re going to be looking at recruitment and retention strategies, just in general for health/human resources,” Dias told the Kenora Police Service Board recently.

“I know it’s not just community-based organizations, but wage parity issues are the issue.  Nurses are going to higher paid locations.  This community doesn’t pay sufficient.”

Dias adds they will have to look at a reduction of beds due to a lack of nursing staff starting in May.

“We will be seeing the shut down of community programs as the months go ahead.  We are using agency nurses, but that’s not going to be sustainable…and we may have to shut down programs entirely for the remainder of the year.”

Right now, the Safe Bed program, which provides help for people having mental health issues, operates five beds in Kenora.