An X-ray is an effective window into the bodySA国际影视传媒檚 internal structures.
Social media recently proved to be like an X-ray into the work lives of Stanton Territorial HospitalSA国际影视传媒檚 coterie of contract nurses.
It was just further proof that things are a mess at the hospital.
A major blow was dealt on Nov. 22 when it was announced that birthing services in Yellowknife would be suspended from Dec. 10 to Feb. 21, except for emergencies.
This was due to a lack of nurses.
With no obstetrics unit in use, NWT women expecting a child would have to travel to Edmonton for their delivery. This puts in question whether their spouse will be able to accompany them during a pandemic and with farther to travel. It also creates complications for mothers who already have other young children. For some, it results in more anxiety.
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 unfortunate.
But it wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 like the powers-that-be shouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 have seen it coming, stated the union that represents hospital workers. Staff vacancies and low morale had been issues for at least 18 months, according to the Union of Northern Workers in November.
A nurse backed up that assertion: SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 been a mass exodus of nurses in multiple departments. Mass 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�
On Dec. 21, Kim Riles, CEO of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA), revealed that additional positions were approved for the obstetrics unit. Although it wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 result in the resumption of birthing services at Stanton, the move was intended to create SA国际影视传媒渕ore stability and increase the flexibility of staffing options,SA国际影视传媒� according to Riles.
Fast-forward to this month. Contract nurses are in place at the hospital. Some of them find the time to take pictures of one another in the obstetrics unit playing with birthing balls. One of the photos sports the message: SA国际影视传媒淗ow to pass the time when the birthing unit is closed.SA国际影视传媒�
Another contract nurse posted a video to TikTok. Above her head an inscription reads: SA国际影视传媒淲hen you accept a travel nursing contract for eight weeks. Show up and the unit is closed. But now youSA国际影视传媒檙e getting paid substantially more to do much less.SA国际影视传媒�
In case you were uncertain, the NTHSSA confirmed that the social media posts were SA国际影视传媒渦nprofessional.SA国际影视传媒�
An apology ensued from the health authority and a spokesperson assured that the employer addressed the issue internally SA国际影视传媒� presumably meaning that those particular nurses would be in hot water.
It must be noted, this isnSA国际影视传媒檛 a slight against YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 complement of permanent nurses, some of whom have been providing exemplary service for many years and feeling undervalued by the GNWT.
Ultimately, this is about the health authority maintaining public trust. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the NTHSSA has appealed to Yellowknifers to put their faith in public health restrictions that have deeply impacted our lives.
The same holds true for its decisions on staffing. Therefore, we were all under the impression that there were not enough nurses to do the job in the obstetrics unit, but now the public has seen that there are contract nurses sitting around boasting about generous pay and not having much work to do.
The GNWT needs to explain to Northerners and to full-time health staff why this has happened because it has birthed an embarrassing image.
