The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador (RNU) is deeply troubled by remarks made yesterday, November 13, 2024, by the Minister of Health and Community Services in the House of Assembly during question period.
In response to questions from the Opposition, the Minister stated, “So just a lesson in ethics and the law, they are two different things, right? Someone could be unethical and not necessarily breach the criminal code. They are two different things.”
This statement is both shocking and disappointing, especially coming from a Minister who is also a lawyer.
“The distinction between ethics and law made by the Minister sends a disturbing message,” said Yvette Coffey, President of the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador. “If a nurse breaches their code of ethics, the consequences are severe. They face investigations, potential discipline from the College of Registered Nurses NL, possible termination by the employer – Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) – and the real risk of losing their license and ability to practice. Meanwhile, we have yet to see any unethical managers face similar accountability.”
Every regulatory body – such as accountants, lawyers, human resources professionals, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, social workers, and others – has codes of conduct and professional practices that call for the highest levels of ethics. Violating those codes comes with serious consequences.
The Union has been raising concerns about ethical breaches and conflicts of interest within NLHS with government for months.
“Back in March, we sent a letter to the government regarding these serious breaches. Why has it taken so long for action?” Coffey questioned. “This government has admitted to being aware of these ethical issues for months, yet it seems only recently – this week – have things been done. We demand to know what has prevented swift and transparent action.”
The RNU has also shared with NLHS what they have been hearing about these unethical managers, including the names that have been repeatedly brought forward by community
members. Additionally, we reached out this morning to the Auditor General, who is currently investigating the private nursing agency contracts.
“We have a nursing crisis in this province, and it’s being made worse by unethical people in leadership positions who are profiting off this crisis,” said Coffey. “This is jeopardizing our public healthcare system and leaving Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with unmet health needs while taxpayers foot the bill.”
The RNU is calling for immediate, decisive action from NLHS and the government to address these ethical breaches and restore faith in our public healthcare system. This should include reporting licensed and credentialed managers to the regulatory bodies that have licensed or credentialed them.
“This is not just unethical, as the Minister implied. We believe it is criminal,” Coffey emphasized. “We expect a full investigation and accountability for those who are exploiting our public healthcare system.”
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About the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador: The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador represents more than 5,800 registered nurses and nurse practitioners working in acute care, long-term care, community, education, and research. The Union is committed to advocating for safe, ethical, and high-quality healthcare for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Media Contact: Jonathan Hamel Director of Communications Phone: (709) 691-6890 Email: jhamel@rnunl.ca
Technical note regarding ethics and regulatory bodies
Professionals governed by regulatory bodies such as the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CRNNL) and the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador have a duty to avoid conflicts of interest, ensuring ethical and professional standards are maintained across both fields.
These standards outline mandatory ethical principles that all members of these professions must uphold. Additionally, the duty to report is an ethical responsibility meant to safeguard clients, patients, and the public.
A “conflict of interest” is defined as a situation in which there is a significant risk that a professional’s loyalty to or representation of a client or patient may be materially and adversely affected by the professional’s own interests or obligations to another client, former client, patient, or third party.
Members of such regulatory bodies such as the CRNNL and the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador are therefore prohibited from acting, or continuing to act, in any circumstance where a conflict of interest is present.
College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador Code of Ethics: https://crnnl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/code-of-ethics-CNA-2017.pdf
Law Society Newfoundland and Labrador Code of Professional Conduct: https://lsnl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NL_Code-of-conduct_2024Sep27_PDF.pdf