Registered Nurses Raise the Alarm About Unsafe Staffing Levels: RNs at Hogarth Riverview Manor fear too few RNs is hurting patient care
THUNDER BAY, ON, Dec. 5, 2016 /CNW/ - The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) and its front-line registered nurse (RN) members working at Hogarth Riverview Manor are calling for increased funding and more RN staffing at the nursing home.
"Hogarth Riverview Manor is tasked with caring for some of our most vulnerable and fragile citizens," notes ONA First Vice-President Vicki McKenna, RN. "The facility, operated by St. Joseph's Care Group, is currently renovating and is slated to add 128 new beds next year. Yet it employs just 12 full-time, 12 part-time and 10 casual RNs to care for these patients. Under its current staffing model, the home is failing to meet the care needs of its residents, and our dedicated RNs are concerned that understaffing is making it difficult for them to meet the standards of practice, as set out by the College of Nurses of Ontario."
McKenna says that currently, just one RN is responsible for the care of 128 residents during the day and evening shifts, leaving just 3.25 minutes for each resident per shift. On the night shift, just two RNs are responsible for the care of 416 residents.
"This is an untenable situation for our residents," says McKenna. "ONA is gravely concerned that the conditions for residents will further worsen when the 128 new beds are opened. We have presented a staffing proposal to Hogarth Riverview management to increase the number of RNs in each 24-hour period in order to help the facility meet orders laid by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care."
She notes that Thunder Bay has a pressing need for more long-term care beds; McKenna is calling for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to "step up to the plate and better fund long-term care, ensuring that our residents receive the care and dignity they deserve."
ONA is the union representing 62,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals, as well as almost 16,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.
Visit us at: www.ona.org; Facebook.com/OntarioNurses; Twitter.com/OntarioNurses
SOURCE Ontario Nurses' Association
For further information: Ontario Nurses' Association: Sheree Bond, (416) 964-8833, ext. 2430, cell: (416) 986-8240, [email protected]; Melanie Levenson, (416) 964-8833, ext. 2369, [email protected]
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