Northwestern Ontario doctors are warning of a healthcare crisis stemming from a nursing shortage in First Nation communities.
A group of nearly 50 Sioux Lookout doctors is sending a letter to Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller asking for more funding for nurses.
They say services in many communities were “woefully inadequate” before the pandemic, and COVID-19 has worsened the situation to a crisis level.
The letter claims staffing levels haven’t been increased since before the pandemic began, and nurses will soon have more work to shoulder to help with the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
They add that communities also need administrative staff, infrastructure, and housing to support hiring more nurses.
