Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the current state of health-care staffing, staff burnout, and the neglect of patients in our health-care facilities.
While the pandemic has subsided, the impact on our health-care system remains significant. Short staffing is a pressing issue, leading to overburdened health-care professionals and compromised patient care. The toll on the well-being of our dedicated health-care workers is evident, with burnout rates reaching alarming levels.
As we navigate these challenges, I urge you to consider the reintegration of unvaccinated health-care workers into the workforce. With safety measures in place and the decline of the pandemic, bringing back these professionals could alleviate the strain on our health-care system. This step could help address the critical shortage of staff and improve the quality of care for our patients. It is crucial to prioritize the well-being of both health-care workers and patients alike. I believe that a thoughtful and inclusive approach to staffing, coupled with appropriate safety protocols, will contribute to a more resilient and effective health-care system.
As a practicing nurse, presently working for Fraser Health, I would like to advocate for my fellow nurses. We desperately need help now, today!
On a personal note my own mother was in hospital for two weeks in December before she passed away. I arrived one afternoon after work to find her cold lunch sitting on the bed side table in front of her (four hours after lunch time). No one had the time to feed her. When I asked, the staff they told me they were down a nurse and very overwhelmed. Even one more nurse on that day would have made a big difference.
We had to hire someone privately to come in and help my mom while she was in hospital and in addition, we came every evening to be with her and to assist her. The nurses were too short staffed to manage. This was unacceptable and was not the fault of the nursing staff.
Nova Scotia has now reversed their policies bringing back unvaccinated health-care workers.
It is time to follow the rest of Canada and indeed the world, and give our health-care system the “boost” it needs now!
Sandra Gruenhage, RN, Forest Knolls
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