Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre will eliminate more than two dozen positions, as the hospital balances its budget.

In a news release outlining their 2016-2017 operating plan, the hospital revealed they would be cutting 32 active full-time equivalent positions and 24 vacant positions. The cuts will occur throughout the organization.

At the same, the hospital says they plan to fill nine new full-time positions.

“As staff exercise their rights under collective agreements, and take advantage of vacancies, retirements, leaves and regular turnover, the actual number of job reductions will decrease,” the statement reads.

Hospital officials say the move allows them to balance their $320-million budget. That involved finding more than $8-million in cost savings, despite a one per cent increase in provincial funding,

“By leaving no stone unturned in non-clinical efficiencies, RVH is able to minimize the impact on patients, protect beds and services, while delivering quality, patient-centred care,” said Janice Skot, RVH president and CEO in the statement.

RVH says they will continue to invest in an advanced cardiac centre and child and youth mental health programs. According to officials, those programs will create about 30 jobs, but not until late this year or in early 2017.

The budget also allows for the opening of an in-centre dialysis clinic this spring and increase funding for the Intensive Care Unit.

Ontario hospitals are required by law to balance their budgets.

Some of these changes will take effect on April 1, but the bumping process could take up to six months.