With threats of layoff and disciplinary action made against nurses by the regional health authorities, Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones says Health Minister Ross Wiseman must take action to reign in the health boards and find other ways to have non-nursing duties performed throughout the province.

Nurses have recently stopped performing various non-nursing duties due to a nursing shortage in the province. While these duties are not anticipated to impact patient care, the four health authorities have threatened action against nurses who refuse to complete these tasks.

“The nurses dispute is with government and their lack of attention to the nursing shortage in this province,” said Ms. Jones. “Sitting idly by and allowing the health boards to deal with this situation is unacceptable. Government tried to wash its hands of the faulty breast cancer screening scandal and place the blame on Eastern Health. We know the problems that were created in that circumstance. Everyone knows that government can intervene with the health boards anytime it wants and the situation facing nurses should take priority.

“There is a significant nursing shortage in the province and the sooner government is willing to recognize this fact, the sooner we can find solutions. Surgeries have already been impacted and bed closures have taken place because of a lack of nurses. Threatening nurses with disciplinary action such as layoff proves that the health minister and the health authorities just don’t understand the problem. Unless there is significant action, patient care will continue to suffer in our province.

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