FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 13, 2002
 

Hospital professionals give Clement the facts
about technologist staff shortages

TORONTO - Simply increasing the number of spaces for medical laboratory technologist training at the Michener Institute won’t reduce staff shortages in our hospitals, technologists told Health Minister Tony Clement yesterday.

Aimee Axler, OPSEU Hospital Professionals Chair of Central Bargaining and her team met with Clement Sept. 12 after he announced $1 million for the Institute to train 32 new medical laboratory technologists by 2005.

She told the Minister the problem is not just lack of training positions, but that students are not entering the profession because of the poor wages and working conditions.

“Hospitals in the province are short 250 technologists now. The situation is critical and it will get worse. Our members are retiring early or leaving the profession because of workload. Some are working at four different hospitals, or are working 10 days without a break. Working two shifts a day is the rule, not the exception. The system is close to the breaking point,” said Axler.

“Compounding this problem is the poaching of staff by private laboratories that are offering higher wages and bonuses to attract technologists.”

Axler cautioned the minister: “I hope you don’t get sick.”

“You need to understand that until wages and working conditions for our hospital professionals improve, shortages will exist, and patient safety is compromised.”

Axler told the minister he must get involved in the current round of bargaining between the Ontario Hospital Association and OPSEU, aimed at addressing the staff recruitment and retention problem.

OPSEU represents 10,000 professionals in more than 60 hospitals.

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For more information, contact:

Aimee Axler, Chair Central Bargaining Committee: 613-329-2051 (cell)