TORONTO: MRI Technologists, Physiotherapists, Lab Technologists and other hospital professionals ranked stress and workload as the top issues in a recent health and safety survey conducted by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
"The results are significant but not surprising", says Patty Rout, chair of OPSEU's 12,000 member Hospital Professionals Division. "This is the high cost of staff shortages. Our members are being stretched beyond their limits to make up for inadequate numbers of staff."
OPSEU hospital professionals are working huge amounts of overtime and often not taking breaks. "Our work has increased and become more complex, so it's no wonder we are seeing these results. The question is, what are the hospitals going to do about it?" she asked.
Figures for 40 of the hospitals where OPSEU represents hospital professionals show overtime costs for these employees more than doubled between 1999 and 2004, increasing by 152 per cent to nearly $4 million. "This is taking a toll on our members and it is hurting patient care. Our members are worried about making mistakes" said
Rout. "The hospitals have to improve wages and working conditions now to attract and keep people in our professions."
The survey also showed that repetitive strain and musculoskeletal injuries, concerns about infectious disease, sharps/needlestick injuries and working alone were the next most important health and safety issues. The survey results will be discussed with the hospitals at joint health and safety committee meetings.
OPSEU hospital professionals work in more than 70 acute care hospitals across Ontario including Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, X-Ray, Lab and Ultrasound Technologists.
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For information: Patty Rout, Chair, Hospital Professionals Division 905-429-7529
