MGEU tells that Manitoba Lifeflight should not fly without a critical-care physician on board.
Staff problems began after the government wanted to privatize air ambulance services last summer in the province. The situation has led to many disagreements between the government and the ambulance doctors. The medicals even said that the situation of deterioration in the quality of patient care services can happen in the case of transition to a fully commercial basis.
The president of MGEU, Michelle Gawronsky, made an official statement. In it he informed that the Union recommends the nurses to refuse the instructions of the employer if they are contrary to professional, moral or ethical standards, and may also pose a threat to the patient.
"To provide safe emergency medical care, the Lifeflight air ambulance service requires a medical team that includes both a critical-care doctor and a critical-care nurse," Gawronsky added. "Each possess their own specific scope of practice under their medical licences."
Cameron Friesen, Manitoba Health Minister, also did not stand aside and made a statement. He wrote that the government intends to ensure the availability of air health services. He also noted that work in this direction does not stop for a minute.
Health Minister urged Lifeflight doctors not to stop working on medical care for the residents of Manitoba and to cooperate with the government to resolve this issue.