Re: Nursing and care aids
The efficient care of patients in hospitals has been affected by an unnecessary level of care, which also increased costs.
In the 1960s the Ministry of Health decided to introduce a level of care that would reduce the work of registered nurses, such as toilet assistance and helping patients get out of bed.
That was the start of the licensed practical nurse program. Years later someone decided to start a third level of care and we now have health care assistants. It’s their job to take over some of the duties of LPNs, which is ridiculous.
Not helping the situation was the 12 hour day, four days per week, program negotiated by the nurses’ union.
That certainly wasn’t done to improve patient care. Nursing is too demanding a profession to exceed the normal eight-hour shift.
Bob Thompson
Saanich