Now the government has to put its money where its mouth is
On February 20, FIQ President Nancy Bédard met with Minister Gaétan Barrette for the second time concerning the crisis currently rocking the health network. As expected, the meeting focused mainly on the use of mandatory overtime and safe healthcare professional-to-patient ratios.
Mandatory overtime
The Minister agreed to intervene with the institutions’ management on this matter. He plans to base his intervention largely on the agreement reached on February 8 between the FIQ–Syndicat des professionnelles en soins du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and the CIUSSS of this same region.
Implementing safe healthcare professional-to-patient ratios
The Minister is proposing to establish 16 pilot projects throughout Quebec in various care units. A technical committee, which will include FIQ representatives, will be set up quickly to visit institutions and determine the process for implementing the ratios. The approach must be rigorous and guided by safe care rather than budgetary requirements.
Lastly, the Minister showed that he was open to the idea of a law on ratios. The FIQ reiterated that the representations would continue in the same vein because it wants permanent measures.
A third meeting will be held next week to follow-up on the work done. Until then, FIQ members are asked to wear the “I’ve reached my quota” sticker and maintain pressure on the government so that it puts its money where its mouth is.