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About Bill 60 | Nursing Agencies Costing Canada Millions 💸 | More
Marc
May 16, 2023
Preparing yourself for allergy season
Allergy season is underway and is still set to hit millions of Canadian residents. Here are 5 way’s you can prepare for the up coming wave of sneezes, itchy eyes, and more:
Know the pollen count: Check local pollen counts before going outside. Many weather apps provide this information, or you can visit a site like https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/city/ca/ontario/toronto/pollen. If the pollen count is high, consider staying indoors.
Keep indoor air clean: Close windows and doors to prevent pollen from entering your home, and use air conditioning to circulate clean air. Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to trap pollen, and vacuum and dust frequently to remove any that may have entered.
Take allergy medication: If you have seasonal allergies, talk to your doctor about taking antihistamines, decongestants, or other allergy medications before the allergy season starts. Starting your medication before symptoms begin can help reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Wear protective clothing: If you need to be outside during allergy season, wear protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses, and long-sleeved shirts to reduce your exposure to pollen.
Use natural remedies: There are several natural remedies that can help reduce allergy symptoms. These include saline nasal rinses, honey, and butterbur supplements. However, be sure to talk to your doctor before trying any natural remedies to ensure they won't interact with any other medications you're taking.
In today’s email:
Ontario
Bill 60 passes | Everything you need to know.
North Bay Hospital May Face Loss of 200 Nurses
Minden, Ontario Asks For 1 More Year To Keep Their Emergency Department
Coming Up! CMHA’s Mental Health in Motion
Canada 🇨🇦
Crisis: Burned-Out Nurses Turn To Private Agencies, Costing Millions
Wildfires | Albertan’s To Keep An Eye Out For Signs of Smoke Inhalation
Nurse’s Week May Be Over, But Canada Continues To Help
The List
Resources To Support Minden
Resources To Support Ontario Health Coalition
Ontario
Bill 60 passes | Everything You Need To Know.
Ontario has passed a health-reform bill that will allow more private clinics to offer publicly funded surgeries and procedures, including cataract surgeries and diagnostic imaging and testing, in an effort to cut long wait lists for care. The government will also create a new system to perform hip and knee replacement surgeries.
These moves are part of the government's plan to decrease wait times and reduce a backlog of over 200,000 procedures. However, hospitals have expressed concern over losing staff to private clinics. The Ontario Nurses' Association has criticized the bill, stating that the government should invest in hospitals to perform more surgeries.
North Bay Hospitals May Face Loss of 200 Nurses.
The union representing hospital workers in North Bay, Ontario, has highlighted that nurses are leaving the profession or considering leaving due to poor working conditions. The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions reported that close to 60% of registered practical nurses (RPNs) are leaving or thinking of leaving their jobs.
The union is urging the provincial government to implement a nurse-to-patient ratio system, similar to British Columbia, which would alleviate the burden on healthcare workers. They also advocate for higher wages of $35/hour and increased hiring of nurses. The Ministry of Health stated that significant numbers of new nurses and doctors have registered to work in Ontario, but acknowledged that more needs to be done to address the situation.
Minden, Ontario Asks for 1 more Year To Keep Their Emergency Department
Residents of Minden, Ontario, have made a second visit to Queen's Park in an attempt to halt the planned closure of the local hospital's emergency department (ER). A petition with over 17,100 signatures was presented, representing almost 95% of Haliburton County's population.
The closure, scheduled for June 1, is attributed to severe staffing shortages. Opposition politicians and residents urged Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones to intervene and implement a one-year moratorium on the closure. However, the government maintains that the decision is local and supports the community's leadership.
Concerns have been raised about the impact on the local population, particularly during the summer months when the area experiences an influx of cottagers and tourists. Residents have held rallies, created online petitions, and organized a campaign called "Minden Matters" to protest the closure. The Ontario Nurses Association warns that the Minden ER closure could set a precedent for further permanent ER closures in the province.
Coming Up! CMHA’s Mental Health in Motion
The Canadian Mental Health Association of York Region and South Simcoe (CMHA-YRSS) is organizing the annual event called Mental Health in Motion. This event encourages participants to engage in various physical activities, such as cycling, running, or walking, to support youth mental health. The event will take place on June 11 at Newmarket's Ray Twinney Complex, with virtual and at-home options available. All proceeds will benefit the CMHA-YRSS' MOBYSS bus, which provides critical mental health care directly to youth.
The organization recognizes the importance of addressing youth mental health, especially due to the challenges faced during the pandemic. MOBYSS offers accessible services by traveling to different locations in the community, providing both virtual and in-person support without requiring health cards or personal information.
The event will feature live entertainment, food, and success stories from those who have received help from CMHA-YRSS. By participating in Mental Health in Motion, individuals can contribute to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and making it easier for people to seek support. For more information and to get involved, visit cmhainmotion.ca.
Canada 🇨🇦
Crisis: Burned-Out Nurses Turn To Private Agencies, Costing Millions
Burned-out nurses in Canada are leaving the public healthcare industry and working for private staffing agencies where they earn more than double the wages. This transition is costing the public system millions of dollars every year. While the agency industry is flourishing, the public health-care system is struggling due to systemic issues driving workers to leave their jobs. The use of nursing agencies is growing and costing hospitals millions of dollars. In response to CBC's reporting on this issue, the Canadian government has committed to improving healthcare delivery to improve pay for nurses.
Wildfires | Albertans To Keep An Eye Out For Signs of Smoke Inhalation
Weather and health experts are urging caution as wildfires in Alberta continue to impact local air quality. With 74 active wildfires, including 20 out of control, officials are issuing air quality statements across the province. Wildfire smoke is expected to affect even healthy individuals, prompting concerns about symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pains. The smoke can pose a higher risk to vulnerable populations, including those with underlying health conditions, seniors, young children, and pregnant individuals.
Research has shown that smoke inhalation can have adverse effects on fetal health. Recommendations include seeking clean air indoors, wearing masks, and monitoring symptoms. The upcoming hot and dry weather is expected to exacerbate the situation by keeping the smoke closer to the ground.
Nurse’s Week May Be Over, But Canada Continues To Help
Each year on May 12th, Canada celebrates International Nurses Day to recognize the important work that nurses do in providing quality healthcare to Canadians. However, the country is still dealing with a shortage of nurses, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of January 2023, there were 162,100 vacant positions in the healthcare and social assistance sector, the highest level on record.
The federal government and provinces are working to address this issue by attracting and retaining more nurses, including internationally educated nurses (IENs). The provinces are making efforts to streamline the process of credential recognition for IENs, and some are offering financial incentives for nurses to work in their province. There are also several immigration programs tailored for healthcare professionals, including nurses, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Provincial Nominee Program.