Healthcare professionals at the heart of the offensive against COVID-19
While the number of people infected with COVID-19 rises every day in Québec, the FIQ feels that it is essential that all government resources, like those of the Federation, are primarily intended to support the healthcare professionals so they can provide quality, safe patient care. Therefore, the FIQ has agreed to suspend activities linked to the provincial negotiations.
“The current situation is exceptional and the 76,000 nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists are already on the firing line and will continue to be over the coming weeks. They will be in the thick of patient care, infected people, screening activities and information given to the population. As always, our members will hold down the fort for their patients and the Québec population”, stated the president of the FIQ, Nancy Bédard.
Essential winning conditions
To ensure the health, safety and well-being of the healthcare professionals, the government has committed to working with the FIQ in the coming hours and days.
“It is essential to implement all the tools required to support the healthcare professionals to the best of our abilities, as a government and society, particularly facilitate family-work balance”, insisted Ms. Bédard.
The FIQ has proposed structural measures that will allow members to practice in the best possible conditions and attract the additional staff the network will need.
The FIQ has demanded the cancelation of all non-essential and non-priority activities in all Québec healthcare institutions, as is usually the case during the summer.
“Network personnel must be given a shot of oxygen, flexibility must exist and resources allocated to the right places. We are also expecting the government to give the employers a clear message so the right information continuously flows downwards to our members”, explained the president of the FIQ.
Daycare services across Québec also have to be available for the children of healthcare professionals as of Monday morning. For some, this is essential so they can go to work. The premier has committed to quickly respond to this demand.