Manitoba reduces agency nursing partners to four as transition begins

Manitoba has limited the number of private nursing agencies it will work with to four starting Jan. 15, and the provincial travel nurse team has expanded to help fill gaps; the nurses' union says some hospitals are already reporting unfilled shifts.

Manitoba has limited its relationships with private nursing agencies to four partners, a change that took effect on Jan. 15. The provincial government says the move is intended to shift staffing into the public system and use an expanded provincial travel nurse team. The Manitoba Nurses Union supports redirecting funds to public care but reports that some hospitals that relied on agency nurses are facing unfilled shifts. Health authorities say they are adjusting to the change and monitoring staffing levels. Key details: - The province will work with four private nursing agencies instead of the nearly 80 it used previously, and nurses will be permitted to work for only one agency at a time. - The nurses' union reported unfilled shifts in some rural hospitals, including Dauphin and Pine Falls. - Regional health authorities said they are transitioning to a smaller group of approved agency partners and are recruiting to fill vacancies. - The government says the provincial travel nurse team grew to 555 nurses as of Dec. 31 and will be used during the transition; the union has called for a team of 700 to 800 nurses. Summary: The change to a smaller number of agency partners is in effect and some facilities report immediate staffing gaps. Provincial officials say they will work with health authorities and rely on the expanded travel nurse program to address needs. Undetermined at this time.