Danger Pay For Health Care Workers

 

# 781

 

In a response to an article on the hardships that health care workers would encounter working during a pandemic earlier this week, which you can read here, Dr. Janice Willett, president, Ontario Medical Association, Toronto has this to say.

 

 

Danger pay deserved if pandemic strikes

National Post

Published: Friday, May 18, 2007

Re: Staff might not report for flu epidemic, May 15.

 

Health care workers and the provincial government are in the planning stages to ensure that Ontario is prepared, in case of a pandemic flu outbreak. As these preparations move forward, health care workers want to ensure that the lessons learned from SARS are implemented and that front-line providers are protected.

 

Ontarians will no doubt rely on the commitment of our health care workers, which is why it is imperative that all appropriate safety measures are in place and that there is a plan to provide these workers with danger pay and insurance to address the health risks of working during a pandemic.

 Dr. Janice Willett, president, Ontario Medical Association, Toronto.

 

 

Should a pandemic strike, health care workers will be exposed to more than just the virus.  Their numbers will be reduced by absenteeism, their patient load will increase dramatically, and they will likely be working in a higher risk environment.  Some patients, and their families, will undoubtedly become abusive when they are told that treatment options are limited.

 

There may be no tougher job in a pandemic than working in a hospital or flu clinic.  The hours will be long, the conditions harsh, and the stress unimaginable.

 

Psychologically, working under these conditions will take a great toll on all health care workers.  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder may become a real problem.  And of course, the trauma of being separated from their families, who must deal with a pandemic without their aid, will be tremendous.

 

While I fully support the idea of `danger pay', to my mind, of greater importance are stockpiles of protective gear, adequate security, and assurances that if anyone health care worker falls ill, they will receive priority care, and at no cost.  

 

No one should be asked to risk their lives, and the lives of their families, and then find themselves abandoned by the system they are trying to help.

 

Our first line of defense in any health crisis are our health care workers.

 

Abuse them, and you will lose them.