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“Home care workers are some of the most dedicated and compassionate people working in health care and government needs to treat them with the same respect they do other health care professionals.” — Jason MacLean, NSGEU President.
Halifax (23 July 2019) — On July 18, the Nova Scotia provincial government announced $1.86 million will be allocated to home care safety training and equipment. As reported by the Chronicle Herald, $1.36 million will go to Health Care Human Resource Sector Council and LearnSphere to upgrade training, staff leadership, and other aspects of home care. The remaining $500,000 will be used to buy home care safety equipment like slider sheets, transfer belts, and other essential home care tools.
Announcement welcomed by NSGEU
The government’s investment of $1.86 million is a good step forward for home care workers and the people they care for, says Jason MacLean, President of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE).
"This is a necessary investment that not only supports people getting care at home but also shows the people providing care that their safety and well-being is also a priority," said MacLean. "Home care is the fastest growing sector in health care. More needs to be done to make sure the supply of dedicated, trained, health care professionals can keep up with the demand for home care."
Profession shows high rate of burnout
Many young people who enter the sector burn out quickly and leave for better paying jobs in the Acute or Long-Term Care sector.
"Home care workers are some of the most dedicated and compassionate people working in health care and government needs to treat them with the same respect they do other health care professionals. Due to the lack of long term care beds those needing care at home are sicker and have more complex needs than at any time in the past. Government needs to be willing to invest in these dedicated people so they know they have the security and foundation to make home care their career for the long term."