BCNU continues to lobby for support for ER nurses to ensure nursing solutions are implemented across each health authority
BCNU will be approaching health authorities for assurances that adequate supports will also be in place for all nurses regardless of where they work
On May 26, ER nurse representatives and BCNU President Debra McPherson participated in a discussion forum with high-level officials from the Ministry of Health, CEOs from each health authority, ER physicians and others as part of the Ministry's "action now" initiative launched May 1 to address the emergency room crisis.
This was the third such provincial meeting held this month since the government announced the release of seven million dollars to implement short term solutions to the on-going ER crisis. 15 large acute care facilities across the province have been part of this "action now" initiative and working teams comprised of physicians, ER nurses and BCNU stewards have been meeting locally to discuss issues and bring forth concrete recommendations back to this forum. Each health authority has now been directed by the Ministry of Health to come up with a short-term plan immediately.
Over the last five years, ER nurses have been lobbying local health authorities in regards to the very same issues and concerns that have been discussed over the last month. In many facilities ER nurses have been successful in improving their ability to provide safe patient care through their active campaigning resulting in some of their solutions being supported and implemented.
It is imperative that all nurses regardless of where they work receive the same kind of adequate support to ensure that they are able to care for their patients safely without jeopardizing their standards of practice in any way.
BCNU will be approaching each health authority as soon as possible to set up a process that will involve both nurses of the "action now" ER initiative and nurses on the units to identify what supports they would need to be able to practice safely if hallway nursing moves forward as proposed.
As well, BCNU will continue to lobby the health authorities for other systemic improvements within the health care system that could address ER overcrowding.
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