Nurses say Throne Speech commitment is contradicted by health cuts
While the government wants to focus "on protecting jobs to preserve the delivery of services," its policy is forcing health authorities to displace employees and cut patients' services
Nurses are concerned the provincial government's Throne Speech commitment to protecting jobs and services contradicts the service cuts health authorities are making because the government won't allow them to run a deficit of their own.
"We're pleased the government wants to focus 'on protecting jobs to preserve the delivery of services while our workforce strives to rejuvenate its ranks for the future, in the face of its aging profile,'" says Debra McPherson, president of the BC Nurses' Union. "Unfortunately, in healthcare, government policy is forcing health authorities to displace employees and cut services to fulfill the government's fiscal mandate.
"On the one hand the government is giving itself the authority to run large deficits for four years; on the other hand, the government demands its health authorities get into the black now. The impact on patients seeking care, on seniors needing assistance to stay well, on the mentally ill and disabled will be devastating."
McPherson is also concerned the Throne Speech repeats last February's statement that there will be no money available for public sector wage increases, without recognizing the need for compensation adjustments to address serious skill shortages that undermine the delivery of public services including healthcare.
"In many areas there is no way the government can rejuvenate its aging workforce without addressing skill shortages."
McPherson hopes the government recognizes that running a large deficit is a normal consequence of a severe economic recession, which is no time to cut healthcare and other public services, because people need them more than ever.
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