The staff of the Hôtel-Dieu hospital in Sorel wanted to demonstrate on Saturday morning because of the overwork, which is due in particular to the high occupancy of the emergency room and the lack of workers.
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Upon arriving at the scene, staff had to go to work due to staff shortages.
“The existing team was already understaffed by more than 50%, so the team that came in to take over couldn’t handle the sit-in challenge and had to get back to work. “, explains the member of the Union of Nurses of Montérégie-Est (FIQ-SPSME), Christopher Dunford.
For its part, the Integrated Center for Health and Social Services (CISSS) of Montérégie-Est states in writing that “every measure is being taken to ensure safe care and services for the entire population and to try to increase the occupancy rate as quickly as possible reduce possible”.
Despite the efforts of the CISSS, according to Mr Dunford, the impact is not being felt on the ground.
“We see the plight of nurses,” he continues. Many leave their 16-hour shift crying, not knowing if they will be able to return to work in eight hours.
Hôtel-Dieu Hospital in Sorel has the highest ER occupancy rate in Quebec at over 200%.
The current situation is worse than a year ago in terms of the pressure felt by hospital staff.
“There are patients in all the corridors and in all the cupboards,” says the deputy head nurse Michel Jenart. We went to other rooms for the examination because the examination rooms were used for lying patients. We don’t know where to put them.”
Breathless after 16-hour shifts, the nurses can no longer stand it.
“We’re wondering how we’re going to get through Christmas and December,” shares clinical nurse Marilyne Lévesque.
Health Minister Christian Dubé hinted in a press crowd outside the National Assembly on Thursday that Quebec’s emergency situation is likely to remain “continued difficult” in the coming weeks.