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CMoC is about realigning positions, not job losses
June 3, 2011
I would like to clarify some information contained in recent media reports regarding Collaborative Model of Care (CMoC) and its implementation at Community Hospital O’Leary.
As as a result of a news release from PEINU, it was reported that Community Hospital would lose 10 registered nurses. This is inaccurate. Four RNs currently working in Community Hospital will be impacted, and Health PEI and the union are working with each of these staff members to identify potential options, including a newly created RN position at the Hospital.
As we have stated throughout the process to implement CMoC, there will be no job losses. There is simply too much work in our health-care system to let any of our existing staff go. In fact, the O’Leary area has already seen an increase in Home Care staff and will see an increase in staff in Primary Care and Long-term Care over the next two years. As well, new Patient Care Worker positions will be added to Community Hospital to assist with the daily needs of patients, which will allow other nursing staff more time to focus on the overall care needs of the patient.
CMoC is about realigning our staff mix to best meet the needs of our patients, clients and residents so we are delivering the right care, by the right provider, in the right place. A more collaborative approach means health care workers will be able to work to the full scope of their skills and abilities, making the most effective use of our health care resources.
The reasons for this model are clear. We must address the challenges of an aging population, increased demand for services, human resource shortages, and staff workload issues if we are to ensure sustainable health care for the future. For example, RN vacancies have strained our work force to the point where we have had to close beds, deny vacation requests, or call back nurses who just came off regular scheduled hours to fill shifts in order to meet patient needs.
We are currently in phase 2 of the roll-out of CMoC. A mid-point evaluation of the implementation process has been completed for phase 1 and a copy of this report is available from your manager or online at www.healthpei.ca. We are already hearing positive stories about the impact of collaborative model of care from those people we serve, and from the sites that are further along in implementation.
That being said, I clearly recognize that the depth of changes we have embarked upon have been challenging for many of our health-care providers. Our hope is that through each improvement we make, we can better support our many dedicated staff and physicians in the work they do every day delivering safe, quality care to Islanders.
Keith Dewar, CEO
Posted at 4:17 pm
