In an effort to call on the province to address staffing shortages, the BC Nurses Union has launched a new set of ads, meant to shed light on the deteriorating healthcare system in British Columbia.

The new province-wide ad campaign highlights the crumbling state of the healthcare system and how the shortages are negatively impacting patient care.

BCNU president Aman Grewal says nurses are burning out, as they are forced to work 16 to 18-hour shifts without breaks due to staffing shortages in healthcare facilities across the province.

“At their worksite, they are being denied their leave. They have worked and they continue to work through COVID, but when they are asked for a leave for a personal reason or a vacation, they are being denied it.”

These shortages, as Grewal explains, are causing hospital wait lists to grow and temporary emergency room closures to become the “norm.”

“I’ve been a nurse for 36 years; I have not seen it as bad as what it is right now.”

Grewal stresses the state of the healthcare system is hindering patient care.

“It impacts your family, your grandfather, your grandmother, your kids, we are dealing with COVID, RSV, and Influenza season right now and it has added pressure to the healthcare system.”

The BCNU is calling on Premier David Eby to present a plan to improve the state of the healthcare system. They are also calling for immediate action on that plan.

“We believe health care is a non-partisan issue and we want to see the government take swift action to get nurses the support they need. Nurses in BC have been working tirelessly at the expense of their own health. They are ready and willing to be at the table to discuss solutions to address the systemic issues we are seeing,” added Grewal.

A link to the BC Nurses Union ad Campaign can be found here.