Recent claims that emergency departments in Dauphin and Swan River are at risk of closing due to a lack of available nurses are unfounded, says a Prairie Mountian Health spokesperson.
Concerns have been raised in the wake of efforts undertaken recently to reduce Manitoba’s reliance on private for-profit nursing agencies in the public system.
Manitoba announced earlier this month it will only work with four private agencies to fill vacant shifts at public health care facilities starting, Jan. 15, a sharp decline from the nearly 80 companies the system drew from previously.
The four companies - Elite Intellicare Staffing, Integra Health, Bayshore HealthCare and Augury Healthcare - won the right to work in Manitoba through a competitive bidding process.
Nurses and Manitoba’s official opposition sounded the alarm that shrunken pools of nursing professionals spells disaster for emergency and other departments at the Parkland’s two regional hospitals.
In a written statement, PMH indicated it has not reduced operating room or chemotherapy services at Swan River 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,” the statement reads.
“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.”
In the case of Dauphin, the DRHC’s Special Care Unit has been closed temporarily. The four bed unit, which provides a higher level of care to patients who require closer monitoring, requires two specialized nurses per 12 hour shift.
Any patient transfers that are required as a result will be done in consultation with through the Provincial VECTRS system. The Virtual Emergency Care and Transfer Resource Service (VECTRS) is Manitoba’s centralized and co-ordinated source for clinical guidance and patient transport support.
“Prairie Mountain Health continues to work to secure the necessary staffing resources to support safe and reliable service delivery for the Dauphin SCU so operations resume as quickly as possible,” the statement continued.
“In addition, PMH has three nurses who are currently taking required specialized training to work in the Dauphin SCU. They are anticipated to have their training completed in February.”
