Islanders among Atlantic health-care workers wanting to help in Ontario

Nurses in Atlantic Canada are being asked to help as the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hits Ontario hard and some on P.E.I. are starting to step forward.

On Tuesday, Premier Dennis King toldthe P.E.I. Legislature that a handful of Island residents are ready toreport for work in the Ontario health system on an emergency basis.

"I'm happy to report we've had eight health-care providersand nursing students offering help," King said.

"I'm proud.They are the bravest of the brave and when it's needed most, when the chips are down, [they're] running towards the fire."

Talks continue to work out the details, the premier added:"I only committed to doing what we can."

Barbara Brookins, president of the P.E.I. Nurses' Union, has been talking with leaders of other provincial unions around the region.

"Everyone wants to help. Obviously, that goes without saying; we are nurses," said Brookins. "You see an area struggling and you feel for them because you know that it could very well be your area next."

We have a responsibility to our own province. Barbara Brookins

But even without large numbers of COVID-19 patients in the region, the health system on P.E.I. has been struggling to keep hospitals fully staffed.

"We also have to recognize that we have a responsibility to our own province," said Brookins.

"They've been really difficult conversations. They really have."

Questions about support

Brookins said it is still not clear yet what the provincial governments are asking of nurses, and what support will be offered.

Any program designed to send nurses to Ontario would have to be entirely voluntary, she said, and all costs, including time in self-isolation after returning, would have to be covered.

Brookins said she has not yet heard from any nurses that are interested in going to Ontario, but said there may be some with personal connections to the province that are keen to go.

The government would also have to ensure that service delivery on the Island was not affected by any nurse that chose to spend some time working in Ontario.

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