About 25 nurses with United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) walked through town wearing white on Oct. 22 to raise awareness about nurses losing their jobs across Alberta.
Across Alberta, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse and licensed practical nurse jobs are disappearing as the government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services (AHS) implement staffing changes they call ‘workforce transformation' and the ‘clinical workforce strategic plan', according to Irma van den Hadelkamp, local president of the UNA.
“They are replacing educated and skilled nurses, whose profession is regulated, with non-professional and unregulated health-care aides,” said van den Hadelkamp.
She believes this contradicts all evidence of the “best way” to run a safe and effective health-care system.
“Eliminating nurses and replacing them with non-professional aides lowers the quality of health care and increases risks for patients,” she said.
UNA members are asking for people to contact MLA Joe Anglin, Health Minister Fred Horne and AHS to show concern about the job cuts. They believe they are not being told the whole story by AHS.
“UNA has recently received information that indicates AHS plans to lay off a large number of nurses over the next two years,” she explained. “Last week, AHS sent its legal team to a labour and relations board hearing to block UNA from releasing this information by claiming it is confidential.”
“UNA thinks it is time AHS should start coming clean with Albertans about their plans.”
Surrounding communities have participated in the walk to raise awareness as well, including Olds and Didsbury.
“We are wearing white today because we are advocating for our profession, for our patients, residents and clients, and to protect the public health care.”
