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November 16, 2001
BCNU launches a campaign to encourage members and the public to "Call Colin" when patient safety and quality patient care are at risk
On Thursday November 15, in response to the closing of the Emergency Department at St. Paul’s Hospital Wednesday evening, Colin Hansen Minister of Health Services declared publicly that he should have been personally consulted on the closure before it was made.
Throughout the media yesterday and today he continued to slam both the doctors and nurses at St. Paul’s for contacting the media first about the closure and suggested it was an attempt to put pressure on the government for more money. The decision to close the Emergency Room, for the first time in St. Paul’s history, was taken after management and staff exhausted every possible option that would ensure that patient safety would not be compromised.
In response to the Minister’s request for consultation, BCNU is asking members and the public to "Call Colin" everytime they are faced with a problem that puts patient care in jeopardy.
Every time there is a problem calling in enough nursing staff, every time a surgery is cancelled, every time a patient waits too long for emergency care, we are asking that you call Minister Hansen directly. Since Minister Hansen wants to be informed of all situations that are harming safe patient care before doctors, nurses and administrators make the tough clinical decisions they are qualified to make, then let’s tell him.
Next week in the Stewards’ mailout you will receive a number of posters that can be put up at your workplace, used as a leaflet or posted in a public place. A faxed copy of the poster will be sent out to you on Monday. As well, business cards with the same information will be printed and sent to all stewards. These can be distributed to members and the public when the opportunity arises.
In the meantime if you have a problem about health care in BC- don’t hesitate. "Call Colin."
You can reach the Minister Colin Hansen at 250-953-3547 or call Enquiry BC at 604-660-2421 (Lower Mainland) or 1-800-663-7867 (outside the Lower Mainland) and ask for the Minister of Health Services’ office.
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