â–ş Listen Live
â–ş Listen Live

“We’ve been asking for this for 25 years,” BC Nurses Union CEO on new patient-nurse ratios

Earlier this month, the provincial government announced it would be making a $750 million investment over three years to roll out a new staffing model for nurses.

It aims to ensure a certain ratio of patients to nurses is met – one-to-one for critical care patients, one nurse for every two mental health patients, one-to-three for specialized care patients, and four-to-one for palliative care patients.

“This is something we have been asking for for a very long time, about 25 years,” Jim Gould, the interim CEO of the BC Nurse’s Union told My PG Now.

“It is an opportunity to improve the quality of patient care and the work experience for all of our nurses,” he said, adding it will also decrease patient mortality and nurse injuries.

Staffing shortages are still an issue in hospitals, Gould believes this announcement will be shortly followed by another that will help bring in and retain new nurses.

Gould citied the $750-million investment, and said he has also heard international recruitment efforts are also moving full steam ahead.

“The sincere hope and expectation is that, like other jurisdictions like California and Australia, who were in similar situations many years ago, that moving to minimum patient-nurse ratios will expedite recruitment and get us out of this situation faster than anywhere else in Canada.”

He added the deal and steps taken indicate the province is taking the issues seriously and is respecting nurses in the province.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

  • With files from Josiah Spyker, My East Kootenay Now

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

<p>

- Advertisement -
</p>

Latest News

Cops for Cancer Tour de North riders confirmed as victims of hit and run

The Canadian Cancer Society and the Prince George RCMP confirmed yesterday's (Monday) hit and run incident in Prince George did involve two of the Cops for Cancer Tour de North riders, who were out for a training ride together. It occurred just after 9am at the intersection of North Ospika Boulevard and McRae Avenue near Gordon Bryant Park.

Hartley’s Sports Shorts; Tuesday, July 8th

MLB: Toronto Blue Jays  at  Chicago White Sox

Wildfire crews bracing for a change of conditions in the Peace Region

56% of all wildfires have been lightning caused while the remainder are human-caused. Since April 1st, 510 blazes have been ignited in BC.

Update: power restored in PG after mid-afternoon outage

BC Hydro crews are dealing with a mid-day power outage in Prince George. 643 customers are in affected north of Midland Road and East of Aberdeen Road.

Music at the Pavilion to kick off Thursday night

Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park is the place for free live music this summer starting on Thursday. The City is hosting Music at the Pavilion every second Thursday until August 21st.
- Advertisement -