Nursing shortage poses big problems

Due to an “extreme shortage” of nurses in the region, La Maison des Collines in Wakefield announced in a June 20 press release it would temporarily suspend admissions.

“We’re missing nearly half of our usual nursing staff,” explained Julie Filion, executive director of the six-bed palliative care home located behind the Wakefield Hospital.

The Maison des Collines in Wakefield temporarily suspended new admissions because of low staffing. Stuart Benson photo

According to Filion, the home lost three staff members in the three weeks leading up to the announcement, which was immediately followed up with a recruitment campaign.

“We need four nurses right now to be able to re-open: three full-time and one part-time position,” Filion explained. “My staff worked and worked throughout the pandemic, and they're exhausted, so after losing three in such quick succession, we just couldn’t continue.”