MPP Shaw demands urgent relief for Hamilton’s understaffed hospitals

HAMILTON – NDP MPP Sandy Shaw (Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas) has demanded the Ford government urgently address the staffing crisis facing Hamilton hospitals in the middle of the pandemic and provide frontline health workers with the support they desperately need.

“Today, the Hamilton Spectator reported that Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare are short 224 staff. In the middle of the pandemic, the hospitals in my community are in dire need of nurses, lab technicians, psychologists, as well as administration and support workers. The list goes on.,” said Shaw.

“The workers on the front line of this pandemic need support. What is the government doing to provide relief to these understaffed hospitals?,” Shaw asked the premier during question period at the Ontario legislature Monday.

Michelle Leroux, VP of Human Resources at HHS, said this: “The pandemic is taking a toll on our staff and physicians both at work and at home. Despite this, they continue to show up every day and simply go above and beyond to care for our community.”

“The fact that these hospitals are understaffed is disturbing in its own right. But we also learned that 113 staff and learners at these hospitals have tested positive for COVID-10. A majority of whom are women” said Shaw.

What is the government going to do today to ensure that these front line heroes get the support they need to stay healthy and continue the fight against COVID-19?,” asked Shaw.