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"The Premier and the Minister of Health have to step back and start addressing the real issues facing patient care and health care providers — one of the major issues being nurse- to-patient ratios.” — Joan Jessome, NSGEU President
Halifax (25 Feb. 2016) — The deaths of 126 Nova Scotians over the past two years, as documented in the Nova Scotia Reportable Events Database, is only further evidence that the provincial government needs to move forward with establishing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.
Nova Scotia government working against interests of patients
“A 66 per cent jump in reportable incidents simply isn’t acceptable,” says Joan Jessome, President of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE).
“This government has so far spent its time in power working against the interests of the safety of patients by not listening or acting on the serious concerns continually raised by health care providers. That needs to stop," Jessome said. "The Premier and the Minister of Health have to step back and start addressing the real issues facing patient care and health care providers — one of the major issues being nurse-to-patient ratios.”
NSGEU/NUPGE nurses campaigned to establish safer and more consistent nursing care
In 2013, NSGEU/NUPGE nurses launched a public campaign in an effort to establish mandated staffing ratios, to help ensure they were able to deliver safe patient care. Their position was that establishing safe and reasonable nurse to patient ratios would ensure safer and more consistent nursing care, increase public confidence in our health care system and help create a healthier and more sustainable nursing workforce.
“In a CBC report this morning, we heard the Nova Scotia Health Authority stating their goal as being to have the safest possible system they can,” said Jessome.
“If their goal truly is to improve safety, it’s time for government to listen to and act on the concerns raised by nurses and other health care providers regarding patient safety. The urgency is now, before more Nova Scotians end up in the Reportable Events Database.”
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE