As Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital faces an unprecedented staff shortage, private agencies are “enforcing their law” by requiring day hours for their employees, the union laments.
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“Agencies do what they want […]. They are enforcing their law,” deplores Denis Cloutier, President of the Union of Nurses of the University Center for Integrated Health and Social Services (CIUSSS) of the East of the Island of Montreal.
Last November, employees of private agencies worked 2,641 hours a day at the Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont. This total represents 59% of their total working time (including evenings and nights), according to figures obtained from the union on the CIUSSS Access to Information Act.
Meanwhile, an unprecedented staff shortage is hitting the hospital, particularly the emergency room, which was even closed overnight from Monday to Tuesday. Disgusted by the mandatory overtime, the nurses threatened en masse with dismissal and demanded the resignation of a manager.
Total up to 70%
Overall, in the CUSSS, the nurses from private agencies and practical nurses worked 70% of the time during the day last November, the data shows. According to the union, this phenomenon has increased since the pandemic began.
Asked about this, the hospital management says it does business with private agencies, but adds that this is limited because they “cannot provide us with the number of nurses we need,” writes Christian Merciari, CIUSSS spokesman.
Management was unable to provide any further data on this at the time of publication, but confirms that the agencies are not covering evening and nighttime demand.
“Before, the agencies filled the holes. […] There was a kind of balance, says Mr. Cloutier. But now it’s proof that the agencies are letting every nurse dangle [du privé] can work where she wants. »
“We need people”
Although not in favor of hiring private agencies, the union admits it would welcome caregivers from outside in the evenings and nights.
“If they find 25 or 30 temporary workers to help [le soir et la nuit]”I would be very happy,” he said. In the short term we need people. »
The Association of Private Companies of Caregivers of Quebec (EPPSQ), which is being asked to respond, emphasizes via email that the agencies “always provide resources, regardless of the situation, day, night, evening or weekend”.
It is also added that since 2021, the CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal has stopped hiring new agency staff, which could have contributed to the filling of shifts.
Health Minister Christian Dubé last autumn wanted the CISSSs to stop offering day shifts for private agencies. He also wants to introduce a bill soon to better regulate the work of private agencies.
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