CEO of New Brunswick's francophone Vitalité Health Network, Dr. France Desrosiers, defended $173m spent on travel nurse contracts to address critical staff shortages in 2022.

Dr. France Desrosiers, CEO of New Brunswick's francophone Vitalité Health Network, defended the health network's significant spending on travel nurse contracts. The contracts, totalling $173m, were a response to a critical shortage of staff in 2022, with 79 departments experiencing critical shortages, 100 beds closed, and patients receiving 1.3 fewer hours of care each day. Desrosiers said the decision to contract private firms to provide temporary nurses was crucial to "saving human lives by maintaining essential services."

June 20, 2024
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