This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information. 


How staff workload is affecting patients: HSABC

These stories from frontline professionals can help convince the new government that the price of continued inaction is simply too high.

Vancouver (18 Oct. 2017) — A random survey conducted last fall found that 75 per cent of members of the Health Sciences Association of B.C. (HSABC/NUPGE) are concened that workload is negatively impacting patient care.

HSABC/NUPGE surveys confirm workload pressure

Over the course of 2016, HSABC/NUPGE consulted thousands of members in several surveys. Over 5,000 members completed a short survey on workload. Another 1,400 completed a comprehensive survey. A further 2,500 were randomly sampled.

The results all confirmed that workload pressures, made worse by growing shortages of key professionals, are not just making it harder for the people who deliver health care and community social services — they're compromising patient care.

It's time to speak up for the people we care for, says HSABC/NUPGE

This fall, volunteer member engagers are reaching out to colleagues across the province, urging them to complete the workload survey — if they haven't already done so — and share their stories of how care for patients and clients is being affected.

You can find the workload survey, and a form to report how patients and clients are affected, at www.workload.hsabc.org.

Stories can show provincial government it must address workload and understaffing

It's important to tell these stories. In some cases, HSABC/NUPGE may be able to launch individual grievances. In other cases, they'll form a strong foundation for a wider policy grievance. But perhaps most importantly, these stories from frontline professionals can help convince the new government that the price of continued inaction is simply too high.

Member engagers will be visiting departments and breakrooms, over various shifts, to meet HSABC/NUPGE members where they work. Sometimes, the engagers will be bearing the coveted HSA chocolate!

Members can talk to their steward for more information.