Canada’s nurses’ union is about to send a very strong message to the government as many struggle to find a family physician.
President Linda Silas, of the Canadian Federation of Nurses’ Unions tells our newsroom, health care ministers from across the country are set to gather for their annual meeting, Thursday, in Halifax.
She says this is what she wants them to know:
“We cannot give up on our public health care system. Too many Canadians are counting on us.”
Silas adds, close to six million people are without a family doctor with problems in the emergency department as well as the long-term care sector.
How does the problem get fixed?
Access to primary care is key including a national Pharmacare program.
Silas says this involves two categories of drugs -contraceptives and diabetic.
“The provinces and territories know, there’s about 1.5 billion on the table to help them to provide more services to their residents. And we need to get this going.”
Working conditions
Another big concern is recruitment and retention.
Silas says, this involves salary and nurse-to-patient ratios as workloads remain at the forefront.
A new program to address how many patients one nurse takes care of in one shift, is being implemented in Nova Scotia and British Columbia and discussed in other provinces.
She says, it’s a slow process but they are making progress.
“Every unit across the province has to be evaluated and discussed. But it is the most positive news nurses are receiving…is finally, their work will be respected, and they will get the tools they need to do their job.”
Positive outcomes
The purpose of these annual meetings is to bring awareness, provide solutions and research.
Silas says every year they do it a bit different and every year they see progress.
“There’s always success when you can discuss openly and frankly with politicians.”
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