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Health Care Professionals Call for Commission of Inquiry Into Riverview Hospital
Nurses and a psychiatrist at Riverview Hospital are asking Premier Ujjal Dosanjh to immediately appoint a Commission of Inquiry into what they say is a "toxic work environment" that can affect patient care at the Lower Mainland facility.
The letter calling for an inquiry was sent to Premier Dosanjh and BC Health Minister Corky Evans from representatives of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of BC, the Union of Psychiatric Nurses of BC, the British Columbia Nurses’ Union and Dr. Jaime Paredes, past president of the Riverview Medical staff.
"We believe that an atmosphere of intimidation at the hospital, questionable record keeping, and allegations of conflict of interest can only be exposed through a Commission of Inquiry that has the power to have witnesses testify under oath."
"Nurses are struggling against a corporate culture that makes it difficult for them to maintain their standards of practice. Riverview has made questionable administrative decisions that place patients at risk, impede good nursing care, and raise the possibility of conflicts of interest and worse," the letter to the Premier says.
Responding to further suggestions from officials at the Ministry of Health April 10, the Nursing Stakeholders Group says the issues at Riverview Hospital will not be resolved by the government doing more studies on the administrative processes at Riverview. The real problem is a corporate culture of fear and intimidation.
The only resolution at this time is to conduct an inquiry that will uncover and expose the issues that are contributing to a "toxic work environment" at Riverview Hospital.
For more information please contact:
| Linda Moyneur, Chairperson of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of BC at: |
(604) 944-4941 |
| Stew Johnson, President of the Union of Psychiatric Nurses at: |
(604) 318-7208 (cell) |
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