Nurses’ unions call on the Premiers to agree to a common plan to protect health care workers during a pandemic

August 5, 2009 - (Regina) - Premiers need to agree to a common framework with targets for implementation to protect health care workers during a pandemic, says the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. A patchwork exists across the country in regard to pandemic preparedness. The Canadian government has yet to finalize the section of the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan which discusses the mode of transmission of influenza and required control measures in health care settings. “The safety of health care workers during a pandemic is not negotiable,” says Linda Silas, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. “Nurses in one province need to know that their health is as protected as the health of a nurse in another province.” The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions believes the Premiers should forge ahead and agree that N-95 respirators will be made available to health care workers at risk, agree to fit-test workers in all health care settings from acute to long-term care, and work with health care unions to develop a health human resource plan before flu season hits this winter. “Premiers need to adopt the precautionary principle as a basis for pandemic planning,” says Silas. “Nurses' unions across the country want to work with federal, provincial and territorial governments to ensure adequate health human resources during a pandemic.” Nurses’ unions will be requesting meetings to follow up on the Premiers conference with Health Ministers prior to their annual meeting next month. For background, see the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions Policy Directive on H1N1.
For more information contact CFNU at 613-526-4661.