CFNU President sent a strongly worded letter to Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq calling upon her to intervene in a decision by Canadian Blood Services to replace nurses with unlicensed, “multi-skilled” workers. Currently nurses meet with potential donors to perform confidential health screening and assessments.

At Risk

“The CFNU believes that CBS’s plan to replace registered nurses with unlicensed, multi-skilled employees poses a serious threat to the safety of the public as well as the blood donation system in Canada. As the Minister responsible for CBS operations I strongly urge you to veto this plan.” she wrote.

“…nurses have the training and knowledge to recognize symptoms of possible illness, pregnancy, diabetes or even low hemoglobin counts before patients themselves may even be aware of the conditions. Nurses also have the training to interview patients concerning extremely sensitive issues such as drug use and sexual activity – areas in which potential donors may not necessarily be forthcoming.”

Silas pointed out to the Minister that nurses, as regulated health care professionals are bound by a code of conduct and ethics including the obligation to keep information confidential. Unlicensed workers are not bound by any code of ethics.

Another tragedy?

CBS was created in 1998, in response to the largest public health catastrophe in Canada’s history: the tainted blood tragedy. During the late 1970s and 1980s, more than 1,000 Canadians who received blood transfusions were infected with HIV and hepatitis C. In his report emanating from the Inquiry into the blood system in Canada Justice Krever said: “The screening of potential donors has become more extensive and more intrusive. Careful screening is essential to maintain the safety of the blood supply, and it must continue.”

In 2006, Ian Mumford, Chief Operating Officer of CBS stated, “a nurse can only perform eligibility assessments of donors; a physician can only perform review of health status; and a technologist can only perform certain steps in the production process. For specific functions, only those people who have the required qualifications can perform the work. As mentioned previously, we are highly regulated by Health Canada and we are, therefore, not permitted to substitute other staff or volunteers to perform these duties.”

The MNU is monitoring the situation. We will be working with the national union and member organizations to fight this decision.