Minister blames Shared Health after nurses in sex-assault unit quit
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A group of nurses trained to gather criminal evidence and support sexual assault survivors at Manitoba’s largest hospital have resigned amid a staffing crisis, as Health Minister Audrey Gordon placed blame on management for failing to deliver promised 24-7 nursing coverage.
“What is unacceptable is that our government a year ago committed to staffing this program 24-7 and it hasn’t happened, and I hold the health system leaders for this area accountable for that,” Gordon said.
On Tuesday, four casual nurses in the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) program at Health Sciences Centre quit, executive director of acute health services Jennifer Cumpsty said. She described the resignations as disappointing as the hospital makes efforts to on-board permanent staff.
“We want our patients to know that we are quickly putting coverage plans in place to ensure availability of these services,”Cumpsty said. “None of us are satisfied with a program that allows for gaps in these services or that requires patients to wait.”
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HSC has struggled in recent months to fill shifts in the SANE program, leading to an increasing number of victims being sent home with instructions not to shower or wipe themselves after using the washroom to preserve evidence until they can see a nurse. Others have been told to wait hours in the emergency department until a nurse arrives.
Cumpsty said the hospital is encouraging remaining casual nurses to pick up shifts, arranging for physician coverage and expanding the program’s casual nursing pool to cover the gaps. She encouraged people to continue to go to the hospital for exams during this time.
Gordon said the situation is unacceptable and she will follow up with Shared Health, which is responsible for HSC, to fully staff the program.
“I expect resolution and nothing less from our health system leaders,” Gordon said.
Gordon said she was saddened to learn about the resignations but did not have details about the reasons behind the nurses’ decisions.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Health minister Audrey Gordon said the situation is unacceptable and she will follow up with Shared Health, which is responsible for HSC, to fully staff the program.
Last April, the PC government said it would spend $642,000 to expand the program, hire a program manager, and full-time nurses. The expanded program was to be up and running early this year.
Gordon said Shared Health needs to follow through on that promise.
“We have established the funding for the program, the space has been made available at Health Sciences Centre and the health system leaders need to do more to ensure that those positions are filled.”
Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson said SANE nurses feel defeated after doing “everything they can to advocate for a successful program in this province.”
“They’ve talked and talked and talked to their employer and the minister and they’ve gotten nowhere,” Jackson said Tuesday.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson said SANE nurses feel defeated after doing “everything they can to advocate for a successful program in this province.”
The union first raised alarms about the program’s capacity to meet the needs of survivors in late January. Until recently, the program was staffed with one full-time nurse and a dozen casual nurses who pick up shifts and are on-call to conduct sexual assault examinations in their off-hours.
Jackson said she expects more casual nurses may resign from the program. A lack of resources and support, pressure from management not to speak to the media, and the distress of knowing shifts go uncovered has led to nurses quitting, the union said.
“I think it’s a shame that we are watching these extraordinary, experienced, skilled nurses just leave a program that so desperately needs them,” she said.
SANE nurses interviewed by the Free Press have described feeling unsafe and uncomfortable picking up shifts.
Communication between management and front-line nurses has broken down and morale has fallen, according to front-line nurses. Nurses have also reported feeling significant distress knowing patients may wait for hours or be sent home altogether if their shift ends and no coverage is scheduled.
ETHAN CAIRNS / FREE PRESS FILES Four casual nurses in the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) program at Health Sciences Centre quit, executive director of acute health services Jennifer Cumpsty said Tuesday.
Cumpsty said she could not speak to why the nurses resigned prior to having a conversation with them directly. She defended work done to date to implement around-the-clock forensic nurse examiner coverage at HSC.
“We have been working to build a provincial program and that does take time,” Cumpsty said. “We are working towards a program that will be able to offer that service 24-7 for patients that need our care.”
Shared Health said six of seven permanent forensic nurse examiner positions have been filled. A program manager based out of Alberta is also on the job.
Of the new hires, one can work independently, two are completing training, and three others will start their education and orientation in April. All the new hires are expected to work independently within the next six months.
Cumpsty could not comment on gaps in coverage or how many shifts will be covered.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES NDP health critic Uzoma Asagwara said the resignations should not come as a surprise to the government after repeated calls for help from nurses on the front line.
NDP health critic Uzoma Asagwara said they are concerned for sexual assault survivors. The member for Union Station said the resignations should not come as a surprise to the government after repeated calls for help from nurses on the front line.
“We know it’s going to really affect many people across our province who need these services. Unfortunately, it’s a direct result of this government’s absolute failure to take the appropriate measures as outlined by these nurses and it’s a reflection of their ongoing disrespect of these nurses and health care workers across the board.”
Asagwara said it’s “unacceptable” for the health minister to blame hospital management.
“I think it’s shameful that the person who is responsible for leading health care in our province is pointing fingers and placing blame anywhere else other than her own office,” Asagwara said.
“The minister is the highest authority in health care in this province.”
Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said the health minister should accept responsibility for the resignations.
“It’s not about blaming or punching down,” Lamont said. “It’s about the people in charge who have broken the system.”
— with files from Carol Sanders
danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
