The Manitoba Nurses Union is urging the provincial government to quickly establish a committee to implement nurse-to-patient ratios, following the passage of legislation this week.
Darlene Jackson, the union's president, said the law guarantees ratios will continue once set, but the timeline for the implementation committee remains unclear. The committee will use recommendations from a recent subcommittee report, including suggested ratios for acute and non-acute areas.
Recommended ratios include one nurse for every two to three patients in emergency departments and one nurse for every one to two patients in adult intensive care. A rural and northern framework is also outlined.
Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara confirmed the committee will be formed soon and noted that Manitoba is the first province to legislate ratios, while British Columbia implemented them through policy. Jackson stressed that nurses are anxious for the changes, which aim to improve patient care, reduce hospital stays, and lower readmission rates.