This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
'We need to address the shortages of diagnostic and other specialists on the health care team.' - Maureen Headley.
Vancouver (12 July 2010) - Bargaining for a new contract for health science professionals has continued with the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) tabling a number of proposals aimed at protecting quality public health care.
 |
“British Columbians depend on a quality public health care system for their good health. It is incumbent upon all parties at the bargaining table to get creative about how we can work together to protect and improve our system,” says Maureen Headley, HSPBA chief negotiator.
Headley is executive director of labour relations and legal services for the Health Sciences Association of B.C. (HSABC/NUPGE). HSPBA has proposed a joint committee to reduce patient wait times for diagnostic services.
“The longer patients have to wait for diagnosis, the increased risk they will have for more extended and acute needs for treatment and recovery," Headley says.
"We need to address the shortages of diagnostic and other specialists on the health care team, as well as streamline systems to ensure better access to more timely tests.”
The joint committee would explore key issues that create the delays, including booking systems, effective use of facilities and equipment, supply of the specialized staff and the supply and condition of the sophisticated technology required.
HSPBA unions have also proposed a joint committee to address the workload issues that act as deterrents to recruitment. The committee would make recommendations to make the work of health science professionals more efficient and effective. Issues to be explored include providing appropriate leadership and caseloads for health science professionals, maximizing health science professionals’ scope of practice and reducing their administrative tasks to ensure their focus is on diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients.
Finally, the unions have proposed that best practices findings of a pilot project examining solutions for prevention of musculoskeletal in diagnostic imaging – specifically ultrasound, where the injury rate is estimated at 90% of all ultrasonographers – be implemented upon completion of the project.
The pilot project is a partnership between HSABC, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Nanaimo General Hospital, the B.C. Ultrasound Society, CAN-med Healthcare and WorkSafe BC. HSABC and WorkSafe BC have provided funding for the project.
Bargaining continues in August.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE