The government of Prince Edward Island is collaborating with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to decrease dependence on travel nurses. Health Minister Cory Deagle stated that officials and health bodies in the Maritimes are crafting a plan for a regional public travel-nurse agency to move away from costly private contracts.
Deagle emphasized the need to manage the high costs associated with hiring travel nurses and proposed establishing a jointly owned unit by the provinces to address this issue. He highlighted the tension caused by the disparity in pay between travel nurses and regular staff nurses. In the previous fiscal year, the province spent approximately $28.5 million on travel nurses.
In line with efforts in other regions, such as Quebec and New Brunswick, to reduce reliance on private nursing agencies, Deagle suggested the three provinces stop using these agencies. The proposed model aims to encourage nurses to work within the public system and standardize licensing to facilitate mobility across jurisdictions.
While the specifics of the model are still being developed, Deagle acknowledged that the health-care system in P.E.I. will continue to rely on travel nurses in the foreseeable future due to capacity issues, seasonal pressures, and gaps in the system. He cited the need for agency nurses in specialized roles, like in intensive care units and long-term care facilities, to address staffing challenges in the healthcare sector.
