More Nurses Needed To Reduce Wait Times For Surgery

BURNABY – The BC Nurses’ Union is concerned that the Province’s plan to reduce surgical wait times, doesn’t consider the number of specialized nurses needed to make the strategy possible.

Christine Sorensen, Acting President of BC Nurses’ Union says, “If you’re considering a 34% increase in the number of surgeries performed, I’d like to know what their plans are to recruit and properly staff nurses – everywhere from the operating theatre to the homecare teams necessary to support the best patient outcomes. This is certainly a positive step forward, but requires significant planning to ensure nurses are not being stretched too thin.”

The union does agree that the strategy will reduce wait times for patients, however, Sorensen points out that there is a significant shortage of nurses in B.C. as well. “At the end of the day, without nurses, there can be no surgeries. Without nurses, there can be no post-operative care. Without nurses, there can be no community-based care for patients when they go home,” says Sorensen.