March 25, 2021 (Ottawa) – HealthCareCAN is heartened that the federal government has heeded its call for urgent investment in the healthcare system by committing $7.2 Billion in one-time funding to shore up healthcare across the country.
HealthCareCAN continues to press the government for funding to be included in the upcoming federal budget to address specific healthcare and health research needs brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The spike in hospital care due to COVID-19 reported today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), and the huge unplanned and on-going costs associated with providing that care, show clearly that the federal government must use its upcoming budget to shore up sustainable financial support for frontline healthcare.
“The battle against COVID-19 is turning into a years-long war that’s pushing the limits of our health care system,” said Paul-Émile Cloutier, President and CEO of HealthCareCAN. “Our frontline health workers in all provinces need to know the federal government has a plan to help them shoulder this added pressure in the long-term.”
The added stress COVID-19 has caused Canada’s understaffed and overburdened frontlines have led to increased reports of burnout among health workers. The rise in the number of sick days taken by these exhausted health workers has been an extremely worrying trend. Canada’s hospitals, health organizations and long-term care centres require sustainable federal support to ensure Canadians can access care where they need it, when they need it in the years to come.
HealthCareCAN has stressed that in its next budget April 19th the federal government must make clear its support for Canada’s frontline healthcare workers by providing the necessary long-term funding to:
- Address the factors that contribute to increased stress, anxiety, depression and burnout in healthcare workers throughout the continuum of care, including long-term care.
- Implement a national health human resources strategy to tackle the shortage of health professionals, create a more inclusive and resilient health system, and deliver on its promise that every Canadian have access to a family doctor or primary health care team.
- Ensure proper mental health supports and programs are in place to assist healthcare workers now and once the pandemic is over.
HealthCareCAN urges the federal government to show frontline health workers they are a top priority in the upcoming federal budget by providing sustained support and leadership required to implement these recommendations at the earliest opportunity.
HealthCareCAN is the national voice of healthcare organizations and hospitals across Canada. We foster informed and continuous, results-oriented discovery and innovation across the continuum of healthcare.
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Media contact: Alexandria Rowe, HealthCareCAN Communications and Member Services
ARowe@healthcarecan.ca
855-236-0213/613-241-8005 ext. 221 │ Cell: 613-220-1023
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