$300 million in cuts to the health system – If the government goes ahead with these budget cuts then it truly failed to understand how extremely fragile the health network is
MAY 15, 2019 – The Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec – FIQ is absolutely stunned by the news in La Presse this morning saying that the government will be cutting 300 million dollars from the health network. “If the government goes ahead with these budget cuts then it truly failed to understand how extremely fragile the health network is,” said Nancy Bédard, FIQ President.
The FIQ knows the health network needs a lot of things, including major funds. The ongoing crisis in the health and social services network is closely linked to all the years of austerity and successive cuts to the health network. “Day after day, healthcare professionals have to deal with an excessive workload and understaffing. They pull off miracles daily with minimum resources but it is clear that care quality and safety is compromised,” lamented the president.
At a time when there are extreme surpluses, it makes zero sense to take more away from the health network and its staff. “The situation has never been so dire. There are increased accidents, staff are unable to deliver full care, there’s a work overload and mandatory overtime. Further cuts will only exacerbate these ongoing problems. This healthy budget should, instead, translate into making investments,” concluded Ms. Bédard.