"Recently, I had 10 ventilated patients to myself in the ICU. This is double the amount I feel comfortable with. Something needs to change."
ANDREA, RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

"We were told we are heroes, yet we are completely undervalued. We lack resources and support."
BRITTNEY, RADIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGIST

"Most mornings it takes everything in me to not cry and make myself get out of my car to go into the hospital for work instead of just starting my car back up and going home and quitting. I love my job but not under these conditions."
JENNIFER, CARDIOLOGY TECHNOLOGIST

"I fear I won't have enough time to give this patient the best recovery possible before they must be sent home to make room for another patient on a long waitlist from acute. Sometimes I go home and have a cry about the systemic pressures."
JAQUELINE, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

"Everyone is tired. Everyone is burnt out. There were staff shortages before, but it's worse now."
DANIELLE, PHYSIOTHERAPIST

"I am so grateful for the health science professionals of HSA. I can only imagine how exhausted you all are during these more than challenging times, both mentally and physically, and still you all continue provide health care beyond excellence. I needed that care recently when I was a COVID patient in the ICU at Royal Columbian Hospital, and you all took such great care of me. Respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers and so many more! How do you thank someone for saving your life? I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for you and I just don't know how it's possible to thank you for all you do."
LAURA-LYNNE, COVID-19 PATIENT

There's no health care without specialized health care professionals

Everyone knows doctors and nurses are struggling through this pandemic. But most people don't know that over 70 other specialized health professions are part of the health care team keeping you and your loved ones safe.

Shortages of these professionals have been severe for years, even before the pandemic. Now, conditions are no longer sustainable.

Long hours and crushing workloads are just part of the problem. Many specialized professionals in BC are paid much less than in other provinces.

As the union representing these essential health care professionals, we're urging the government to take immediate action to support our health care system and the people who keep it running:

• increased training to recruit more health science professionals to replace those retiring, getting sick or burning out
• long-overdue pay increases to help retain health science professionals in BC struggling with high cost of living