The CISSS de la Côte-Nord fears service disruptions due to the new restrictions on the independent workforce and invites its employees to work overtime to fill shifts left vacant.
The new single contract for personnel placement agencies continues to cause concern in the health network.
From now on, each establishment must obtain supplies from companies approved by Quebec, in addition to respecting maximum hourly rates and requiring a DEP for beneficiary attendants.
In an email sent to its employees, the CISSS de la Côte-Nord states from the outset that “the coming weeks promise to be critical in certain services” due to a growing labor shortage and vacations. summers to come.
“In order to avoid service disruptions, we are looking for employees interested in working overtime shifts to meet needs throughout the territory, starting May 19, 2024. Managers are also covered by this call for contribution,” we read.
Although the new single contract has applied since April 14, several remote regions have obtained an extension until May 18.
Aggravated shortage
Many job titles are covered by the CISSS request: nurses, practical nurses, beneficiary attendants, auxiliaries, social workers, human relations agents, educators and intervention agents.
Asked to comment, a spokesperson for the CISSS affirms that its establishment “has already made calls to everyone of this type in the past, particularly last year”.
But at the same time, Pascal Paradis recognizes that the changes made by Quebec, including maximum hourly rates and training requirements, complicate the picture this year. “These elements will undoubtedly increase the workforce needs in many sectors of the CISSS and increase the risk of service breakdowns,” he writes.
“At present, all services are maintained,” he assures, however.
“Disaster”
This feared shortage on the North Shore is in addition to recent comments from a manager who said she feared a “catastrophe” after May 18. Only 10% of the needs for beneficiary attendants can be met, she said.
The CISSS de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue says it has also maintained the resources already in place under the old contract, due to the “significant labor shortage” and its “concern to ensure the continuum of care to patients.”
Risk of burnout
The crisis plaguing the North Shore does not surprise the representative of private personnel placement agencies.
“They are essentially asking their employees to increase their overtime, to provide as much availability as possible and, essentially, to burn themselves,” deplores Patrice Lapointe, president of the group Private companies of nursing staff of Quebec.
For him, this call for help from the CISSS demonstrates “that we have a role to play”.
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