The New Brunswick government wants Vitalité Health Network to return redeployed nurse practitioners to their primary care clinics. The health authority recently moved these professionals to cover emergency room vacancies at the Campbellton Regional Hospital.

Premier Susan Holt stepped in on Tuesday. She directed the regional health authority to reverse its decision. The move affects two nurse practitioners in the Restigouche area.

“Our government has directed Vitalité to have those two nurse practitioners return to their primary care practices,” Holt told reporters.

You can read the original report on this developing situation at CBC News.

Vitalité Defends the Redeployment

Vitalité has not confirmed if it will follow the provincial directive. CEO France Desrosiers stated the temporary involuntary redeployment remains necessary. The network needs these nurses to support the emergency room while other employees complete training.

Desrosiers noted the redeployment involves two nurse practitioners from a collaborative practice team for a maximum of three weeks. The network says other health care providers are treating the affected patients during this time.

Vitalité is currently discussing the clinical and operational risks of various options with the Department of Health.

Nurses Push Back Against Forced Moves

The Nurse Practitioners of New Brunswick strongly opposed the initial redeployment. The group warned the move jeopardizes patient care and puts the legal obligations of the nurses at risk.

Group president Sharon Hamilton welcomed the intervention from the province. She noted the situation highlights a power imbalance in the health care system.

“If the regional health authorities can have greater authority than the premier of the province,” Hamilton said, “I think that very clearly demonstrates that we need to change whatever laws are in place.”

Finding Better Staffing Solutions

Holt wants Vitalité to improve its recruitment efforts and find creative ways to staff emergency rooms. She suggested giving nurse practitioners the option to pick up extra emergency room shifts voluntarily. This mirrors how the system currently treats physicians.

The premier also firmly rejected the idea of using travel nurses to fill the gaps. She called travel nurses an expensive solution and emphasized the government focus on training and recruiting local staff.

Vitalité confirmed it has not used agency nurses since early summer. The network also reported hiring nine new doctors in the Restigouche region between January and September of this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Vitalité redeploy the nurse practitioners?
The health network moved the nurses to the Campbellton Regional Hospital emergency room to provide support while other staff members receive training.

How long is the redeployment supposed to last?
Vitalité stated the involuntary redeployment is temporary and will not exceed three weeks.

What is the provincial government doing about it?
Premier Susan Holt directed Vitalité to reverse the decision and send the two nurse practitioners back to their primary care practices.

Will the hospital use travel nurses instead?
No. Premier Holt stated the province wants to move away from expensive travel nurses and focus on local recruitment. Vitalité has not used agency nurses since the beginning of the summer.