'We believe patients deserve better': B.C. nurses rally in Vancouver to demand better working conditions
Hundreds of nurses from across B.C. are gathering in Vancouver Wednesday to demand better working conditions, adding to multiple calls by medical professionals this week for urgent action to staff under-resourced hospitals.
The group will meet outside the Hyatt Regency Vancouver hotel near the Burrrard SkyTrain Station at noon, with the goal of sending a message to the provincial government—“safe staffing saves lives”—according the BC Nurses’ Union.
In a statement issued hours ahead of the rally, BCNU president Aman Grewal said the province “must begin the work required to make minimum nurse-patient ratios a reality in all health-care settings,” as outlined by an agreement B.C.’s government reached with the Nurses’ Bargaining Association in April.
“Nurses spend their shifts running from patient to patient. They’re doing their absolute best to provide health care under extraordinary conditions,” wrote Grewal.
“A staffing model that includes nurse-patient ratios, when properly implemented, will help us retain and recruit the nurses we so desperately need,” she continued.
Earlier this week, two open letters were issued by different groups of medical professionals, as concerns grow over the impact of staffing shortages at the Fraser Health region’s largest hospital in Surrey.
On Tuesday, frontline health-care workers at Surrey Memorial Hospital called for the emergency room to be shut down to new patients and say the lack of staff is threatening the quality of urgent care for people in need.
"We implore you to take immediate action to bolster the availability of hospitalists physicians to the ER at SMH and if you cannot do this the only responsible recourse is to place the Surrey Memorial Hospital ER on diversion,” the letter reads.
The document echoed warnings by obstetricians and gynecologists, who issued a letter over what they describe as a crisis at SMH—caused by chronic and pervasive under resourcing.
“This critical scarcity of resources has created systemic issues compromising safety for our patients,” reads the letter.
Grewal says nurses are “morally distressed” over the current state of the health care system.
“We believe nurses deserve better. We believe patients deserve better,” she wrote.
Drivers and pedestrians are being warned to expect traffic disruptions downtown between noon and 12:50 p.m., as the demonstration will travel between the Hyatt hotel and Jack Poole Plaza.
With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Lisa Steacy and Regan Hasegawa.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Trump's lawyers grill ex-tabloid publisher as 1st week of hush money trial testimony nears a close
After prosecutors' lead witness painted a tawdry portrait of “catch-and-kill” tabloid schemes, defence lawyers in Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday sought to dig into an account of the former publisher of the National Enquirer and his efforts to protect Trump from negative stories during the 2016 election.