N.B. health minister responds to Vitalité's comments on travel nurses, says some MLAs practising 'crass politics'
New Brunswick's health minister said in a statement that the comments made by Vitalité Health Network's CEO, Dr. France Desrosiers, about travel nurse contracts are "designed to deflect from the organization taking responsibility for their actions."
"No one is debating the need to get nurses in place quickly during COVID. However, Vitalité signing a contract that automatically renews and locks the RHA (Regional Health Authority) into inflated prices until 2026 was a decision made by Vitalité management – not by government," Bruce Fitch stated in an email.
He also noted Vitalité paid "significantly more" for travel nurses than Horizon and the Department of Social Development.
Desrosiers was asked about that discrepancy and told the committee it was due to the need for francophone staff, the specialized nature of the nurses they needed, and the urgent timeline.
She also said they tried to negotiate with Canadian Health Labs, but the company wouldn't budge on the price.
Fitch reiterated his call for Vitalité's board and CEO to find "a legal way to break this contract, out of respect for taxpayers."
Patrick Parent, Vitalité’s assistant CEO, told reporters Thursday negotiations are still ongoing regarding the current contract they're under - but that 100 beds remain closed, and they're still in a "critical state" that demands the need for travel nurses to continue filling gaps.
Fitch also claims the committee saw 'crass politics' at play.
"It is a shame that some MLAs chose to use today to attack hard-working public servants. This is crass politics, and I am disappointed in their behaviour," he said.
Vitalité's CEO defends travel nurse contracts
On Thursday, Desrosiers defended Vitalité's use of travel nurses and the contracts they came with, saying she made the province aware of the “dire” need in the summer of 2022.
She said she made a presentation to the deputy health minister, beginning in July of 2022, explaining the situation the health network was facing.
In that presentation, she said 79 of their departments were experiencing critical shortages of staff, patients were receiving 1.3 fewer hours of care each day, 100 beds had already closed, and 50 patients requiring hemodialysis were at risk of not receiving their treatment.
At its peak, in September 2022, Vitalité was using 199 travel nurses a day. However, Desrosiers said in 2022-23 they averaged about 100 travel nurses/day.
Horizon and Vitalité health networks, and the Department of Social Development spent a total of $173 million on these contracts that saw nurses from private agencies travel to New Brunswick to work in hospitals and long-term care homes which were short-staffed.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Richard Perry, record producer behind 'You're So Vain' and other hits, dies at 82
Richard Perry, a hitmaking record producer with a flair for both standards and contemporary sounds whose many successes included Carly Simon’s 'You’re So Vain,' Rod Stewart’s 'The Great American Songbook' series and a Ringo Starr album featuring all four Beatles, died Tuesday. He was 82.
Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and bounties for six activists including two Canadians
Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a fresh round of arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, with bounties set at $1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrests.
Read Trudeau's Christmas message
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full.
Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano
One of the world's most active volcanoes spewed lava into the air for a second straight day on Tuesday.
Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus
Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination.
What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect
Immigration measures announced as part of Canada's border response to president-elect Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what's known as 'flagpoling.'
Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada.
Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights
American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive.
King Charles III is set to focus on healthcare workers in his traditional Christmas message
King Charles III is expected to use his annual Christmas message to highlight health workers, at the end of a year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer.