Nurses Union Warns of More Health Centres Facing Grey-Listing

The president of the Manitoba Nurses Union has indicated that more health care centres in the province might be subject to “grey-listing.” This designation, which nurses use to discourage colleagues from working at facilities with unresolved safety concerns, has already been applied to two hospitals: the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) in Winnipeg and Thompson General Hospital.

Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, stated that the trend is gaining momentum. “I think that you’re going to see more and more facilities asking how they can ‘grey-list’,” Jackson said. The union is responding to increased concerns among nurses regarding their safety at work, particularly as several members have approached the union about taking similar actions at other facilities.

In August, nurses at HSC voted to grey-list their hospital, followed by a similar vote from staff at Thompson General Hospital earlier this month. This marks the first occasion in the union’s 45-year history where two hospitals have been grey-listed simultaneously. Jackson noted a sense of urgency among nurses, saying, “We are done. I am tired of being responsible for my own safety; it’s an employer responsibility, and I’m not going to do it anymore.”

The union is advocating for a memorandum of understanding with management at both hospitals, which would include a binding commitment to resolve identified safety issues within a specified timeframe. Jackson emphasized the need for concrete action rather than vague assurances: “We just want some type of comfort in knowing that we’re actually going to see action.”

At HSC, a nurse from the emergency department expressed that since the grey-list vote, there has been no noticeable change in staffing levels. “People are still applying for jobs. We still have nursing students… nothing has changed except this title,” said the nurse, who wished to remain anonymous.

In response to safety concerns raised by HSC staff, the provincial government announced that two uniformed police officers would be stationed in the adult emergency room around the clock starting from November 1, 2023. The nurse indicated that this police presence has improved safety, stating, “Nurses are more inclined to file police reports and expect a response from management… the temperature in the waiting room is completely different when (police) are there.”

The decision to grey-list HSC was prompted by a series of assaults linked to a single suspect near the hospital in July. Staff members reported feeling uninformed, as they were not notified of the incidents until the following day. To address ongoing safety concerns, Shared Health launched a mobile app called “Shared Health SAFE” in October. This app alerts staff and visitors to dangerous incidents on campus and includes a feature enabling staff to share their location with loved ones for safety.

A spokesperson for Shared Health noted that the app consolidates various security measures for users, which is an important step in enhancing safety for staff. “The app brings together several security measures in one place for users, and is an important step in our continued efforts to ensure staff are properly notified and aware of any security concerns on campus,” the spokesperson said.

In Thompson, Jackson reported that management has engaged with the union to discuss safety concerns. Although staff have voted for grey-listing, the union will refrain from actively discouraging nurses from working at the facility for the time being. The Northern Health Region confirmed that Thompson General Hospital has implemented secure access through its emergency department doors, restricting entry to staff only during overnight hours.

As safety discussions continue, the situation remains fluid, with the union advocating for urgent changes to ensure the wellbeing of nurses across Manitoba’s health care facilities.