Concerns over staffing levels in the emergency department of the Swan Valley Health Centre are being raised by the province's largest nurses union.
In a post on their Facebook page, the Manitoba Nurses Union says they've been informed that the emergency department in Swan River is operating with a 57% vacancy rate, while other units in the facility are sitting at 30% vacancy.
The post added that nurses are being pulled from other units without the training or experience needed for emergency care, and are being placed in situations where they feel unsafe, unsupported, and fearful for their licences and their patients.
There have also been reports to the MNU that management is considering closing operating rooms and chemotherapy services in order to support the ER, and closing inpatient beds to redirect nurses to emergency care.
When asked for comment and reaction to these claims, a PMH spokesperson provided the following response.
They said Prairie Mountain Health has not reduced operating room or chemotherapy services to support emergency department staffing.
Additionally, PMH has not reduced the number of in-patient beds to increase nursing support in emergency departments.
While PMH has current vacancies, the region regularly reviews and monitors its operations and continues to support safe and reliable service delivery.
Recruitment efforts to fill permanent positions continue, which will reduce the need for agency staffing over time.
As part of its recruitment strategy, PMH actively engages with agency nurses working in its facilities, educating them on the benefits of working within the public system and encouraging them to consider permanent roles within the region.
PMH also works closely with Shared Health’s Provincial Travel Nurse Team to support service delivery where needed
