Saskatoon – SEIU-West is taking another step to raise public awareness about the truth behind the delivery of public services in Saskatchewan, as they launch a new blog called “Watch Dog” (http://seiuwestwatchdog.blogspot.com).
“This is only the first chapter in a very long book about the issues facing public service employees,” said SEIU-West President Barb Cape. “Health Care was our natural starting point”.
Previously, SEIU-West health providers shared a mountain of detail with the SaskParty government when staffing levels dropped well below those identified by employers to meet their ‘Essential Services’ criteria. The information was intended as an alarm for the government to take action to ensure patient care and safety measures were taken. The SaskParty government failed to act upon any of these earlier warnings, and health providers are still routinely working with less staff than required by the government’s own ‘Essential Services’ legislation staffing requirements.
“Since the government isn’t listening, our members want a way to share with the public the challenges they face on a daily basis as they try to provide quality care to residents and patients,” continued Cape. “If your loved one in a long-term care facility only received two baths in one month, or if the facility where your loved one receives care has a norovirus outbreak, our members can tell you the real reason why; they don’t have enough staff scheduled to provide adequate personal care or infection control.”
“In our workplaces, our members are not allowed to tell the public that they are short-staffed for fear of reprisal or discipline,” said SEIU-West Board member Judy Denniss, who has worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for over 30 years in the Saskatoon Health Region.
“Our members are growing more and more concerned about working short,” Denniss continued. “The Health Regions don’t want to work on this with us so we’re left with only one option, and that’s to let the public know what’s actually happening behind those doors after they’ve visited their family member.”
In order to ensure the privacy of the residents and patients, and to protect the workers, the ‘Watchdog’ blog will contain no names. However, facility names, types and/or locations will be mentioned to help provide a clear picture of the reality that exists not only for workers but also for those people on the receiving end of services.
“We’re hoping the public takes the time to read these shocking revelations,” said Cape. “These events depict the reality that accompanies staff shortages. We want to share the real truth about how corners are cut in many health facilities and how it impacts your family member or loved one on a day to day basis.”
SEIU-West represents over 11,000 health care providers working in four (4) health regions across Saskatchewan. As well, SEIU-West represents employees working in the following sectors: Education, Municipal, Community Based Organizations and Allied. Information on staff shortages, underfunding and other challenges faced by those working in these sectors will be included in the Watch Dog blog in the coming months.
To read the blog visit: www.seiuwest.ca and look for the watchdog in the right hand column.
SEIUWEST represents approximately eleven thousand members across the province working as health care providers within acute care, long term care, home care and the emergency medical services sector.
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CONTACT:
Christine Miller, Communications Coordinator SEIU-West – 306.370.4990 | christine.miller@seiu333.org
