Cancer patients in Sussex, N.B. are raising concerns about having to travel to Saint John for treatment due to a staff shortage.
The issue was supposed to have been resolved this month, but the patients say little has changed.
Diane McLean says she is glad she can receive her chemotherapy treatments at the health centre in Sussex again, after having to make the hour-long trip to the Saint John Regional Hospital.
But she says the staff shortage has yet to be fixed.
“There are problems with only one nurse at a time being hired to look after possibly five patients,” says McLean.
McLean figures the ratio of nurses to patients was two to one when she was in Saint John.
“I would believe the nurses in Sussex should deserve the same, have the same ratio,” she says.
In a release issued early last month, Horizon Health said the staffing reduction was temporary and they expected the issue to be resolved within the next four weeks.
“I hope there is no perception that we’re diminishing our care given to the Sussex patients in Sussex,” says Dr. John Dornan, chief of staff at the Saint John Regional Hospital.
He says scheduling is being looked at to see how the staffing problem can be solved.
“What we’re hoping to do is put the right amount of resources with chemotherapy and in other areas in Sussex. Whether that’s how many hours a week, we’re looking closely. What we want to do is ensure that care is given safely.”
McLean says two nurses are typically on staff at the health centre, but recently there has been only one. Her husband, Doug McLean, says another nurse should have been hired by now.
“When one person resigns or retires, that person should be replaced,” he says. “The requirement is still there. It might be a dollar-and-cent thing, but find the dollar-and-cent somewhere else.”
The McLeans have contacted their MLA and say they won’t give up until they receive the health care they deserve.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Dunbar
