WRHA admits communication breakdown with nurses over Ebola preps

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority admitted Thursday it has not done a good job keeping nurses in the loop about Ebola preparedness, and pledged to do better.

WRHA spokesperson Helen Clark admitted there was a communication breakdown with nurses after the union made its concerns public this week, just days after Winnipeg firefighters voiced the same fears they did not feel prepared to deal with a potential case of the lethal virus.

• City douses firefighters' flame of concern over Ebola preps

The WRHA and the Manitoba Nurses Union met today and discussed an emergency plan.

"We've got equipment in all of our emergency departments in Winnipeg and we are looking at making sure every emergency department, whether inside or outside of Winnipeg, has enough to be able to respond if a case presents," Clark said.

She said more than 400 health care workers so far have been trained to deal with Ebola.

Nurses weren't aware of Ebola plans

MNU president Sandi Mowat said Wednesday health officials may have had a plan in place, as the WRHAand the city said Tuesday,but she said communication with front line staff wasn'thappening.

"I've heard from nurses that they aren't aware of what the plan is and what they're supposed to do in the case of an Ebola patient presenting," she said. "That's important information that needs to be communicated with them."

"Nurses are used to going into isolation and certainly we're used to using personal protective equipment," she said. "But this is equipment we're not typically using. And so it requires training on how to put it on and more importantly how to take it off."

The Manitoba Nurses Union said Thursday its concerns over Ebola preparedness have now been addressed.