Health care staff shortage now a ‘crisis’ in parts of B.C., Canada

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Staffing shortages at health care facilities around B.C. are causing issues in emergency and operating rooms, with crises reported in the Lower Mainland, and most recently, Victoria.

A shortage of pediatric surgeons on Vancouver Island Friday means any kids who need surgery will be sent to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver for care.

Staff started sending kids to the city on Friday after one of Victoria General Hospital’s two pediatric surgeons went on an unexpected short-term leave. Officials are unsure of how long it will last and have not announced rehiring plans.

It’s not just Vancouver Island that’s dealing with shortages.

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In Fort St. John, there aren’t nearly enough nurses to meet local demand, says the Northern Health Authority (NHA).

There are only 20 permanent registered nursing jobs on emergency room rotation in the Northern Health region — and those that are working are “exhausted, overworked, and are facing brutal criticism from the public and insults on their shifts,” according to a release from the NHA.

In the Lower Mainland last week, Langley Memorial Hospital was stuck with the bare minimum number of nurses they needed to get by. Vice President of the BC Nurses Union, Aman Grewal, told News 1130 nursing staff was down by 50 per cent there.

“This is not something specific to one site. This is happening throughout the entire province. We’ve had weekends where areas in the province have had to close their emergency departments,” Grewal said.

It’s an issue that is playing out across the country, with many hospitals calling for my staff in recent days as the Delta variant leads to higher case numbers in many regions.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the union representing practical nurses, personal care attendants, and paramedics across the province, CUPE, called staffing shortages in health facilities “a crisis.”

“We stand together, fighting for public health care – for our members, for workers and for patients. The situation is untenable, and the staffing crisis must end before disaster strikes,” said CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador President Sherry Hillier to Minister of Health and Community Services John Haggie, AP News reports.

Nearly $6.4 million in government funding will help support rehiring efforts. The province has also announced its plans to offer nurses and other health care workers incentives like child care and support for housing and travel.