The temporary closure of the obstetrics unit at Stanton Hospital is almost directly tied to ongoing low morale among nurses and it is possible low levels of service will spread to other departments if retention isnSA国际影视传媒檛 fully addressed, says a representative of the nurseSA国际影视传媒檚 union.
Tina Drew, Local 11 president of the Union of Northern Workers which represents Stanton Territorial Hospital workers said that complaints have been compiling in recent years about the lack of staffing supports all throughout the health facility.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not surprised because we have been talking about the staff shortage in six areas of the hospitals for 18 months,SA国际影视传媒� she said when asked for a reaction on the unitSA国际影视传媒檚 closure.
The obstetrics unit has 13.5 full time positions. Six are vacant.
SA国际影视传媒淭he issue right now is that before this, locums were coming up and were propping up the system,SA国际影视传媒� she said, adding that is not currently the case and management has not found a solution.
SA国际影视传媒淪o we are not able to cover the six positions that are not staffed on obstetrics at this time.SA国际影视传媒�
Whether locums needed will return in February or whether those positions will be filled with permanent staff will likely factor into whether the unit is able to return to service, she said.
While the burnout rate can be seen across the hospital, Drew said it is especially acute with the obstetrics unit.
SA国际影视传媒淭he burnout in other areas of the hospital isnSA国际影视传媒檛 as much because staff on obstetrics feel that thereSA国际影视传媒檚 an extra nurse needed every day, every night due to workload issuesSA国际影视传媒� she said, noting that most workers she has heard from believe there should be four workers per shift to adequately serve mothers and babies.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e unsure if itSA国际影视传媒檚 being considered by management.SA国际影视传媒�
The unit isnSA国际影视传媒檛 alone. Drew said since May 2020, she has been part of monthly joint consultations between the union executive and senior management of the hospital where complaints have been expressed from multiple departments.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e submitted numerous forms stating that weSA国际影视传媒檙e having a crisis situation and the most common one is from obstetrics, but also ICU, and emergency about shortage of staff on shift,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
Overtime and vacation
Some nurses who SA国际影视传媒 spoke with this week have echoed these sentiments, saying that low staff levels leads to excessive daily overtime calls to fill shifts as well as massive turnover across the whole hospital, especially within the last two years.
SA国际影视传媒淥ne. Hundred. Percent. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 been a mass exodus of nurses in multiple departments,SA国际影视传媒� said one nurse regarding people leaving since at least the pandemic. SA国际影视传媒淢ass exodus from emerge has led to the whole department being run by locums. ICU, same thing. OBS same thing. Every single department has been affected by this turnover.SA国际影视传媒�
Ultimately the GNWT needs to address retention of workers rather than focusing so much on more recruitment, Drew said, which means ensuring nurses get the paid vacation that they are entitled in their contracts.
SA国际影视传媒淭he staff will leave if theySA国际影视传媒檙e not going to be able to take the vacation and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 why people are leaving to go to different jobs. They can get time off with their families.SA国际影视传媒�
Gayla Thunstrom, president of the UNW said in a statement on Nov. 25 that lack of staffing at Stanton has been continuous for many years.
SA国际影视传媒淭he UNW has been hearing about issues stemming from lack of healthcare staff since before the Covid-19 pandemic,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭his is a systemic issue that is rooted in a long history of underfunding healthcare and health support programs.
SA国际影视传媒淲e continue to hear that morale is low at Stanton, particularly because of short-staffing. The lack of staff sets off a ripple effect resulting in workers getting less time off, working longer hours, taking on additional duties, and having to cover more shifts. This situation affects all our healthcare workers, not just nurses.SA国际影视传媒�
Thunstrom added that OBS has been one of the hardest departments to staff for many years and that the union continues to advocate for quality health care for northerners.
SA国际影视传媒淭he decision to send patients south is devastating not only for the families affected, but also for the healthcare workers in OBS, as they are naturally concerned for the comfort and wellbeing of their patients,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
SA国际影视传媒淭he UNW feels for the families affected by this nursing shortage, and we recognize that this must be especially difficult for families in more remote communities who must now travel even farther from their homes and support networks for care.SA国际影视传媒�
With retention being one of the biggest challenges facing healthcare right now, employers need to treat workers fairly and find creative solutions to the pressures that workers are facing. Band-aid solutions that fail to address the systemic issues will only continue to prolong the problem.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒 submitted questions to the Department of Health and Social Services on Nov. 23 but didnSA国际影视传媒檛 receive a response before Yellowknifer press deadline.
