The Ford government has to increase funding and full-time staff in Ontario hospitals as nearly half of those on the front-lines have thought about leaving their professions.

 

 

A survey of 750 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees / Ontario Council of Hospital Unions finds 41% ”dread going into work” and slightly more, 43%, have considered choosing a new career.

”The results of this survey are alarming,” says Sharon Richer, secretary-treasurer of OCHU/CUPE.

”It illustrates the gravity of the staffing crisis that has been years in the making, but it is now reaching a new breaking point.”

The survey also finds 79% are not confident the government will improve the system this year.

As it bargains for a new contract, the union is calling on the government to increase full-time staff in hospital and to take B.C.’s lead by adopting a mandated minimum staff-to-patient ratio.

Union leaders say that would mean investing an additional $1.25-billion annually over the next four-years on top of inflation.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health says the provinces added 15,0000 new nurses last year and continues to grow and support the health-care system.