Psychiatric units critique used outdated stereotypes
Re: Speak up about abuse on psychiatric wards, Opinion, Dec. 17
The “enlightened majority” of psychiatric nurses, as Dr. McIntosh characterizes them, is given short shrift in her opinion article that succeeds in promoting outdated stereotypes and disparaging the profession.
Acute psychiatric wards make for challenging care environments at the best of times, but nursing staff do their best in a chronically under-resourced system. If a patient or their family feels that hospital managers are not addressing a concern, they can make a formal complaint through the Patient Care Quality Office in their health region, or file a complaint with the appropriate regulatory college. Dr. McIntosh neglected to inform readers about these important channels.
There is no question that more needs to be done but B.C.’s mental health-care system is in crisis: homeless and psychotic patients on the street, a lack of psychiatric beds, programs and services, and not enough professionally trained nurses.
The B.C. Nurses’ Union is committed to advocating for patients and families struggling with mental illness. We have called on successive governments to commit to meaningful action. This starts by providing better supports, including more programs and services that deliver safe, sustainable, quality care. It also involves a plan to move us from a crisis-driven and expensive system to one that focuses on prevention and early intervention.
Working conditions and care conditions go hand in hand. Employers need to commit to safe and healthy workplaces for nurses, including reasonable workloads, safe work environments and violence-free workplaces.
There is clear evidence quality health-care workplaces create better patient outcomes. But every day BCNU members are working in difficult environments, struggling with increases in workload, and doing their best to meet their professional standards.
Health-care workers have a duty to focus on positive policy solutions to realize the kind of health-care system B.C. patients and their families deserve. Professional attacks will do little to achieve this goal. Sharon Sponton, treasurer, B.C. Nurses’ Union