Media covers OPSEU/SEFPO’s calls for health investment

OPSEU/SEFPO is in the headlines this week as a staffing crisis continues to destabilize hospitals across the province.

OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick says the government is not supporting health care.

“Our members want to provide the best care possible to Ontarians, but the government is not providing them with the supports and resources they need to do this.”

“We will keep listening to our members and working with them to get exactly what they need – which is not more privatization. Disguising privatization as innovation does not respect or value the expertise and dedication of our members.”

Sara Labelle, chair of the hospital professionals division at OPSEU/SEFPO, addressed the healthcare staffing crisis with the Hamilton Spectator and in a televised interview with CTV News:

“The pandemic laid bare that we need more healthcare professionals in the system, and we can no longer function without significant investments,” Labelle told CTV. “We are no longer going to be silent on the issues that have been plaguing the healthcare system for a very long time – even prior to the pandemic.”

Hillary Henderson told the Brantford Expositor that in her 22 years of service as a paramedic, understaffing has never been this bad. “We’re drowning in calls and spending more time in the emergency room than on the road responding to calls,” she said.

And finally Jason Schinbein, president of Local 147 which also represents paramedics, echoed this sentiment when he told Global News that almost 30 per cent of staff are now considering leaving the profession. Just a preview of what’s to come during an unprecedented staffing crisis – while Bill 124 continues to put smaller community hospitals at a disadvantage.