Minister Risikko: Patients needing non-urgent care likely to suffer most from nurses´ labour dispute

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Social Services Minister Paula Risikko (Nat. Coalition Party) expects that patients needing non-urgent care will be the ones to suffer the most in the labour dispute involving the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals (Tehy) - if the planned stoppage proves big, and if it lasts a long time.
      "Naturally, the effects will be seen especially in non-essential treatment, because urgent treatment will be given", Risikko concedes.
      Immediate and urgent treatment includes emergency room care, intensive care, ascertaining the cause of death, and pregnancy termination.
      Paula Risikko emphasised that everything now depends on Tehy.
     
Risikko said that it will be possible to anticipate which patient groups will suffer most when Tehy outlines the scope of the action.
      She adds that all means are under consideration, including which hospitals could get help from other hospitals, whether or not patients can be moved to other locations, and where temporary workers might be available to fill in for those who are taking part in the dispute.
      "Attempts will be made to guarantee patient safety through all means possible. Everything that can be done in advance has been done", Risikko says.
     
Minister Risikko herself is a former nurse and a former member of Tehy. Ten years ago she completed a doctoral thesis in public health on the work of nurses. The study came to the conclusion that nursing is becoming a more demanding job.
      "I have spoken long of this. Even as a teacher I have brought up the fact that the attraction of the profession is declining. Where will we get committed people in the future, if what we have to offer is short-term contracts, heavy work, and low pay? It is a poor combination."
      Therefore, Risikko understands the grievances of Tehy very well, and she is on record for having said as much. She has also said, however, that the demands cannot be implemented at a single go.
      But what if Tehy does not budge? Won't the state then simply be forced to pay up, because it is ultimately responsible for having care available to patients?
      "I sincerely hope that the municipal employer and Tehy will reach an agreement. Nobody wants the labour dispute", Risikko answers.
      "The state has promised EUR 150 million a year in new money. Nothing beyond that is forthcoming", she says.
      Risikko adds that all funds in her sector that have not been earmarked have been channelled into boosting the number and of health care personnel, and their well being at work.
      She admits that she does not have a solution to the pay dispute.
      "And it's not even my job - dealing with patient safety is."
     
Although things are difficult now, Risikko says that she is still happy and proud that her party, the National Coalition Party, took up the issue of nurses' pay before the Parliamentary elections.
      "Tehy's goal has been a pay programme that should have been started a long time ago", she says.
      Risikko has come under criticism for saying that she understands the goals set by Tehy, and the National Coalition Party has been criticised for interfering in matters of labour market organisations.
      "Surely politicians have the right to take up the issue. Ministers cannot interfere with labour market matters. Nevertheless, ministers can have opinions."


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Tehy rejects contract offer approved by other nurses´ union (1.10.2007)
  TV report: Nurses´ mass resignation to apply to about 20 hospitals (12.10.2007)
  Hospitals fear impact of nurses´ threatened industrial action (11.10.2007)
  Health care workers threaten mass resignation in labour dispute (10.10.2007)

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