On Thursday, May 9, Ms O’Keeffe said a distressed nurse from GV Health’s emergency department had contacted her.
“(The nurse) raised serious concerns about the medical crisis and the unsafe and overwhelming conditions she and her fellow medical staff and paramedics continue to face,” she said.
During that week, GV Health experienced ambulance delays, which left up to 10 ambulances queued for nine hours and no ambulances available in the region.
“Severe staff shortages forced the closure of beds, and some nurses worked an additional 10-hour shift after completing their initial afternoon shift,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“This is what our healthcare workers are experiencing on a day-to-day basis.
“They are overworked and overtired, sometimes not even getting a meal or any form of break.”
According to Ms O’Keeffe, the nurse said the conditions were unsustainable and warned of potential burnout, resignations and further strain on the health system.
“We push ourselves, we struggle, but we do what we can to ensure people are tended to and treated,” the nurse said.
“Our staff are drowning ... enough is enough.”
Ms O’Keeffe said the nurse who contacted her wanted to share the reality of what medical staff and patients were experiencing as she felt the situation was only worsening.
“She pleaded for someone to listen,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
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