The weight of the world
It’s quite a burden to feel we bear the weight of the world on our shoulders! The burden of seniors who increasingly are losing their autonomy, but who cannot always be given the care they should receive, regardless of their living environment. The burden of private care placement firms we would like to eliminate, but with which the system must deal despite the consequences of relying on them. The burden of government measures that expect healthcare professionals to always do more with less.
It is true that the health network accounts for a huge proportion of public spending. And it is unfortunately true that the current Government is choosing to give priority to balancing the budget and that, to achieve this goal, it is restricting healthcare spending more than ever. However, it is also true that healthcare professionals have always made the necessary efforts so that the patients receiving their care feel the guillotine’s effects as little as possible but still are asked to do even more.
Must healthcare professionals suffer the aftereffects of the ideology defended by the decision-makers? Is it their responsibility to offset the deficiencies of the network that the Government is doing its utmost to rationalize and underfund? Day after day, the nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists and perfusionists work relentlessly to ensure that the quality and safety of the care they provide remain the best, no matter what. However, given everything all imposed on them and to which they are subjected in terms of restructuring work overload, short-term management of resources and much more, it is increasingly difficult to achieve this goal. There can be many consequences: a climate of insecurity and frustration, increased risks of errors, injuries and accidents, psychological distress, burnout, etc.
Nonetheless, it isn’t too late to sit down and discuss these issues, to find and implement solutions that will allow healthcare professionals to continue to provide care without compromising their own health. This will only be possible if, by mutual agreement, everyone works for the same goal – to offer quality care and services in a safe environment.
The negotiations currently under way are an ideal opportunity to improve the public health network by acting on the working conditions of healthcare professionals. There could be many benefits, particularly in the reduction of the occupational health and safety risks of FIQ members and ultimately, the reduction of the burden currently weighing on their shoulders.
Do you know ?
The FIQ is currently working on a project with the aim of establishing ratios of patients to healthcare professionals that will make it possible to offer safer and better quality care.
A few years ago, such ratios were established in California and Australia. Better staff retention, a reduction of the number of incidents and accidents and a reduction of expenses in the healthcare system thus can be recognized.