Nurses to be moved into new roles to address staffing gaps, province says

Nurses in New Brunswick are being asked to transition into different roles within the health system in an effort to address issues with hospital wait times and access to primary care. This move, announced by Premier Susan Holt, is aimed at tackling long-standing challenges such as 12-hour waits in emergency rooms.

According to Premier Holt, similar shifts have been made by regional health authorities in the past, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this time the focus is on addressing ongoing issues that have been affecting the quality of healthcare services in the province. Holt emphasized the importance of delivering timely access to care and ensuring that New Brunswickers receive the primary care they need.

While specific details about the number of nurses affected and the areas where staff shortages are being addressed were not provided, discussions have reportedly taken place with public health nurses and staff at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Vitalité Health Network did not respond to requests for further information, while Horizon Health Network’s president and CEO, Margaret Melanson, stated that any changes to roles or team composition would be made with careful consideration of individuals’ skills and scope of practice.

Opposition Leader Glen Savoie expressed concerns about the lack of communication with healthcare workers before implementing these changes. He noted that nurses in various fields, including public health, community health, and mental health, have been informed that they will have to work in different areas. Savoie criticized the government for not consulting with frontline workers and failing to involve them in the decision-making process.

Health Minister John Dornan clarified that the transition of nurses into new roles is not a layoff situation but rather a redeployment of resources within the healthcare system. He assured that every effort would be made to find suitable roles for nurses in different areas of hospitals to ensure their continued employment.

The New Brunswick Nurses Union, represented by president Paula Doucet, has not been officially notified of any workforce adjustments. The union is awaiting more information before making any further comments on the matter. It is essential to follow the proper process when making workforce adjustments to ensure that the rights and interests of healthcare workers are respected.