Recently, the Canadian Press discovered through an access to information request, that Ontario will need 33,200 more nurses and over 50,800 more personal support workers by 2032.
The shortage in staffing has not been hidden across the healthcare system in our province with many closures of Emergency Rooms and other departments due to a worker shortage.
Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital President and CEO Michael Cohen tells myFM those numbers seem accurate, but not necessarily here.
In fact, they’re full.
The President and CEO says for a while they were using agency staff, an expensive alternative to full time staff, to fill gaps. But it was well worth it because it closed gaps in the system.
Agency staff is still needed to fill gaps like sick and maternity leaves, but they are being used less and less. Cohen says they have a major project coming up and agency staff will help while training takes place.
He also is very quick to thank the staff to their dedication to patients and the communities they serve.
Listen to the full conversation below.
