Nurses decry lack of accountability as SARS case thrown out

TORONTO (CNW) | Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN, says the ruling that Ontario does not owe a "private law duty of care" to front-line registered nurses sends the wrong message as the world sits under the threat of a flu pandemic.The Ontario Court of Appeal dismissd in early May a class action suit brought by registered nurses following the SARS outbreak in the province in 2003.Two nurses died of SARS they contracted on the job while caring for patients and dozens of RNs were sickened.“The message to front-line registered nurses is that government is not accountable for their safety or their lives,” said Haslam-Stroud. "The government is not required to pass laws that provide RNs with safe working conditions, safe equipment and they don't have to take any responsibility to keep us safe. It's an outrageous and deplorable situation."ONA has worked for years to ensure its members are safe on the job, she noted, and will continue to do so. However, nurses now know that there is no legal requirement for their government to ensure they are protected -- now or in future -- from illnesses such as SARS.“ONA will continue to push for safe conditions for its members,” says Haslam-Stroud. "We are on the front lines and we want to provide quality patient care. ONA will be even more aggressive in ensuring that our members are properly armed with information and protective equipment. We know we can't depend on others to do so for us."Update info: Ontario Nurses' Association, Sheree Bond, (416) 964-8833, ext. 2430, Cell: (416) 926-8240

Nurses decry lack of accountability as SARS case thrown out

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