January 14th, 2022

Horwath calls on Ford to let recently retired nurses work after media reveals roadblock

QUEEN’S PARK — Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is calling on Doug Ford to remove the roadblocks standing in the way of retired nurses who are prepared to help vaccinate Ontarians against COVID-19 as the province battles Omicron.

Horwath’s call comes as Global News reports that a nurse who wanted to answer the government’s call for assistance from health care professionals faces a weeks-long wait to get reinstated. The government failed to reintroduce a previously used emergency order that would speed up the process.

“Hospitals are in crisis. Nurses are run off their feet and patients have to wait in pain for care. Yet, Doug Ford didn’t take the basic steps necessary to get them the help they need. When Doug Ford’s government put out the call for retired health care professionals to help vaccinate Ontarians, he should have already made it possible for them to do so,” said Horwath. “It’s cruel to ask for help, and then force health care heroes who answer the call to sit on the sidelines for weeks when the crisis is happening now.

“Far too often, Doug Ford just puts out the press release without doing the work. If I were premier today, I’d move mountains to get retired health care professionals who are ready and willing to help the licensing and accreditation they need, urgently.”

Horwath said Ontario should also be working urgently to recognize the accreditation of internationally educated nurses and doctors, as well as other health care workers who would like to pitch in.