Quebec Faces Nursing License Crisis and Staff Shortages Amid Contentious Labor Dispute
A ten-year low in the number of new nursing licenses given in Quebec has left the province facing a serious shortage of healthcare workers. Between April 2022 and March 2023, the regulatory body that oversees nursing in Quebec issued 2,864 licenses; this is a notable decrease from the 3,565 licenses that were issued in the same 12-month period.
Quebec's Emergency Rooms Struggle at 137% Capacity as Respiratory Virus Cases Surge
The minister of health for Quebec gave a disconcerting report on the province's network of emergency rooms in the new year. Emergency departments are currently running at an average of 137% of capacity, and Dubé believes that this difficult scenario will continue for some time. The number of respiratory illness-related ER visits in the province is about 1,900 per day, which is double the number from the year prior.
Study Reveals Positive Impact of Living Near Nature on Mental and Physical Health in Older Adults
Living near urban green and blue spaces has been associated with improved physical and mental health in older adults, according to a Washington State University study based on data from over 42,000 people in Washington state's urban areas from 2011 to 2019. The research reveals that a 10% increase in forested area within one's postal code is linked to a reduced likelihood of requiring mental health treatment.
Ontario Union Demands Provincial Support as Hospital Staff Faces Overwhelming Workload
According to CUPE's Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, a staffing shortage is causing hospital employees in Ontario to struggle with excessive workloads. Members' mental health is being negatively impacted by the understaffing problem; many of them hate going to work, and two out of every five are thinking about quitting. Healthcare unions have long issued advisories regarding the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on hiring and worker retention.
Report Reveals Longer Wait Times for Specialist Treatment in Canada
According to a recent Fraser Institute study, the majority of Canadians had to wait longer than expected in 2023 to see specialists and receive treatment. From a general practitioner referral to specialized therapy, the wait time increased marginally to 27.7 weeks in 2022 from 27.4 weeks. In addition to that, wait times grew in seven provinces while they improved in three other areas.
Salmonella Outbreak from Cantaloupes in Canada: 5 Dead, 129 Infected
Infected 129 people and five deaths have resulted from a salmonella outbreak in Canada connected to cantaloupes under the Rudy and Malichita brands. Caseloads have increased, especially in Quebec. With 44 hospitalizations, the outbreak affects primarily elderly people and small children throughout six regions.