Frontline Nurses to Lobby MPPs to Mandate Changes in Nursing that Can Improve Patient-Centred Care

RICHMOND HILL, ON, May 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Frontline nurses will be meeting with several MPPs on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at Queen's Park to discuss the many challenges nurses are facing every day in their workplaces. Following the scheduled meetings, SEIU Healthcare is hosting a Nursing Lobby Day Reception where MPPs will learn more about the nurses who are at the centre of our healthcare system.

SEIU Healthcare, a union that represents 60,000 frontline healthcare workers including 7,500 frontline nurses, prioritizes supporting, protecting, and uniting all nurses. During the MPP meetings, nurses will be able to share common issues such as a shortage of full-time nursing positions, the increase of violence and harassment in their workplace, excessive unsafe workloads, and scope of practice issues.

The recruitment and retention of qualified nurses is a major issue in Ontario and the healthcare system in our province is heading toward a health human resources crisis. To gain a better understanding of how to solve the worsening crisis, SEIU Healthcare, jointly with two other unions, commissioned a study from the University of McMaster, which is forthcoming (Baumann, A., Crea-Arsenio, M., Norman, P., and Eggleton,E. (2019). The role of high functioning nurse teams in acute care settings. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University).

The researchers found that it is extremely important to clarify the roles of both Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs), and ensure they are always working as a team. Currently, healthcare professionals are being asked to do jobs outside of their scope of practice, causing dysfunction and frustration, which can greatly affect patient and resident care. In order to create productive and efficient work conditions, all nurses must be aware of each others' responsibilities, skill sets, and understand when to interject when dealing with patients. Among other recommendations, SEIU Healthcare will be lobbying the government to review nurses' scope of practice.

SEIU Healthcare recently launched a media campaign that urges the public to take action and demand better work conditions for nurses. Supporters can send pre-written letters to their MPPs at www.seiunurses.ca.

Reception information:
Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Queen's Park, Room 230

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SEIU Healthcare represents more than 60,000 healthcare and community service workers across Ontario. The union's members work in hospitals, homecare, nursing and retirement homes, and community services throughout the province. SEIU Healthcare has a strong track record of improving wages, benefits and working conditions for healthcare workers, supporting the training and development needs of its members, and strengthening standards in the management and delivery of patient and client care. www.seiuhealthcare.ca

SOURCE SEIU Healthcare