CUPE explained its reasoning in Niagara Falls yesterday, saying it'll reduce the burden for hospital staff
The Ontario Council of Hospital Union wants the government to mandate nurse-patient ratios in an effort to ease hospital workloads and improve care.
Rachel Fleming is a nurse represented by the union, and speaking in Niagara Falls yesterday supported a study that this would help keep nurses who are thinking of quitting.
She adds the ratio idea is working elsewhere. "In Australia, once they had this legislation passed, in two states alone, in Queensland, had more than 7,500 nurses return to the bedside. Can you imagine if half of those numbers returned to Ontario?"
She says the government claims this is not needed due to billions of dollars already invested in healthcare.
"That money is being allotted into these private clinics, for these private surgeries. The Conservative government is saying this is going to alleviate the 8 to 9-year wait for surgeries."
She adds recent nursing graduates claim the workload isn't what they signed up for.
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