Angry Quebec nurses push for lower patient ratios and less overtime

The head of a Quebec nurses’ union says the provincial government will be in for a fight if it doesn’t commit to improve nurses’ working conditions.

Nancy Bedard says the union will press for a new law to limit nurse-to-patient ratios when they meet the health minister on Tuesday.

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READ MORE: Quebec government to blame for nursing crisis: patients’ rights advocate

Health-care workers have been speaking out in recent weeks, saying they’re burned out, exhausted and angry.

Many say they are forced to work mandatory overtime shifts and are too understaffed to properly care for patients.

READ MORE: Quebec health minister called ‘arrogant,’ blamed by opposition for nurses’ exhaustion

Bedard said the problem has been going on for years but has been made much worse by austerity measures brought in by the province in 2015.

Health Minister Gaetan Barrette has promised to work with nurses to resolve their concerns.