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News
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Jones says government needs to do more for nurses if they
are truly committed to Nursing Week May 10, 2006
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Yvonne Jones, Opposition Health and Community Services Critic and MHA for
the District of Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, says if government is truly
committed to the efforts of nurses, they must make a more substantial
investment in nursing resources and not just read fluffy Ministerial
Statements regarding Nursing Week in the House of Assembly. "I want to take this opportunity during Nursing Week to complement the nurses in our province who work tirelessly on behalf of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," said Ms. Jones. "While Health and Community Services Minister Tom Osborne tries to paint the circumstances facing nurses as rosy, I can certainly tell him that there are many challenges and gaps that exist in the system that need to be addressed by this government. "In our province today, there are a lack of mental health nurses, especially in rural areas of our province. As many of our rural communities face declining employment opportunities and difficult circumstances, many people are struggling with stress and mental anguish. Oftentimes, it is the mental health nurse who deals with these issues on a daily basis and acts as the first contact for these people as they try to access health care services. Unfortunately, as the workload is increasing, government is not making the appropriate investment into strengthening these services. As a result, these nurses are themselves being forced to take stress leave and sick time for their own well-being. "Government must also recognize the needs that exist at nursing homes such as Hoyles-Escasoni in St. John’s. While several licenced practical nursing (LPN) positions have become vacant, government is not filling these positions with full-time professionals. Instead, they are providing temporary work to nurses. Some of these workers have been at the facility for years without being made full-time even though the positions are vacant. This is simply unacceptable and must be addressed. "Minister Osborne may try to fool people into thinking that all is well in our nursing profession, but I can assure the minister that he has much work to do. Before he starts patting himself on the back and congratulating himself, I suggest he look at the needs in the system and sufficiently address these issues." |
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