Staffing shortages at Kamloops hospital 'worse and worse by the day': MLAs
Staffing shortages and the workplace culture at a B.C. hospital were heavily criticized Thursday by two MLAs who say immediate action needs to be taken before the situation gets even worse.
Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar and Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone spoke publicly about their concerns over conditions at Royal Inland Hospital. The pair said nurses from the facility are coming forward "in huge numbers" and provided data suggesting how dire circumstances are at the hospital.
"The situation at Royal Inland Hospital has been worsening over the last four to five years and it will continue to get worse if action isn't taken to make it better," Stone said, adding that staffing shortages have created what he called a "toxic workplace."
"It is time for the minister of health to start listening to these health-care workers and take the appropriate actions to rectify the situation."
Stone said data was provided "on a confidential basis" about the current staffing situation at the hospital and was told staffing levels in the emergency room were at 46 per cent during the day on Saturday.
Additionally, Stone said there was a callout to fill more than 400 shifts over the next month. As of Thursday morning, just 10 of those were filled by nurses, he said.
"Frankly, the Interior Health administration has known of the challenges with staffing levels," Stone said. "They have known of the huge retention issues. They have known of the challenges recruiting to ensure baseline resourcing in our hospital in unit after unit, ward after ward for years."
In a statement to CTV News Vancouver, Interior Health said it didn't have a breakdown of staffing in each department, but said Royal Inland Hospital as a whole was staffed between 76 and 78 per cent on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The health authority said it asked staff throughout the region to voluntarily redeploy to Kamloops for the long weekend, when it normally sees "a surge in patients." In all, 20 people were assigned to support Royal Inland Hospital.
Both Stone and Milobar called on the province to respond to the staffing situation.
"The (health) minister needs to step in immediately and take actions or the premier needs to find a health minister that will," Milobar said.
The Health Ministry has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Stone and Milobar, who are both Opposition Liberals, shared a list of recommended actions. They include a human resources plan for the hospital "with a focus on retention and recruitment." Also recommended is an overhaul of the human resources structure at the hospital, which they say "clearly isn't working."
The Liberals also called for more operating hours in Kamloops and a solution "to the family doctor crisis," which they say will reduce pressure on hospital resources.
Interior Health responded to these recommendations, saying it already has a human-resource strategy in place "focused on retention and recruitment." So far this year, more than 50 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and health-care assistants have been hired for Royal Inland specifically.
The health authority said it met with nursing staff from the hospital on Thursday "to hear their perspectives and better understand the root causes of some of these issues."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.