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2007 Ontario Speech from the Throne

3 Dec 07 -- The Ontario Nurses' Association notes that in its 2007 Speech from the Throne, the Liberal government reiterated the intent to hire 9,000 more nurses over the next four years.

This is good news if, in fact, the 9,000 positions have ongoing, sustainable funding for their employers in all health-care sectors. In Ontario , 15,000 to 30,000 registered nurses can retire by the end of 2008, so if the government really wants to alleviate the nursing shortage, ensure that we provide quality patient care and alleviate wait times, those of us on the front lines will need every one of those 9,000 positions adequately funded.

What is so badly needed in health care in this province is:

  • Improved workplace conditions/improved quality of work life, decreased workloads so that we can provide quality care. This would also improve work-life balance so registered nurses can continue to practice the career that we love while also having a life to enjoy with families and friends. RNs are working full out because of the nursing shortage, sometimes working 16- and 18-hour shifts. By adding one RN to a unit to help shoulder the workload, patient outcomes are improved and errors lessened.
  • Improved occupational health and safety legislation that will create safer workplaces for front-line healthcare workers, so they aren't injured or assaulted while caring for patients and residents, and so that we can attract young people and retain knowledgeable, senior nurses in our profession.
  • Wage parity for registered nurses in all sectors – in other words, an RN working in a nursing home or in the community will have the same wages and benefits of RNs in other sectors. With such a dire need for nurses to care for our growing elderly population in long-term care and the community, we need to compensate all sectors with wages, benefits and working conditions that reflect the value we provide to the healthcare system.
  • Sustainable funding for hospitals, with dedicated funding for nurses so they aren't laid off, or forced to work either excessive amounts of overtime or two or three part-time jobs.

The recent Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) Hospital Standardized Mortality Ratio report shows clearly that – compared to other provinces – Ontario has much work to do to continue to improve the system for our patients.

ONA is looking for government actions. Until the healthcare changes and funding reflect better health outcomes for Ontarians, we know that the front-line registered nurses will continue to bear the brunt of an overburdened system and it will remain more challenging than ever to attract new recruits.