Nurses refuse to staff Hull ER for 2 hours

Emergency room nurses at Gatineau's Hull hospital refused to work for two hours Wednesday night toemphasize concernsoverunderstaffing, and the head of their union saysmoreprotests could be held if the hospital doesn'tget more nurses.

The hospital cafeteria sit-inbegan after only seven of 11 nurses showed up for their shifts, on a night when the emergency room was at 200 per cent of capacity.

The nurses said the level of understaffing was unacceptable and dangerous for patients.

The protest ended after day-shift nurses agreed to come in and work overtime.

Élizabeth Leduc, who heads the unionrepresenting nurses at Hull hospital, said she can't guarantee it will be the last such work refusal.

"I don't have a crystal ball. I can't tell you if it's going to happen again," Leduc said, adding she hopes it won't.

Theunion was in talks Thursday afternoon with hospital administration in an effort to find possible solutions to the understaffing problemsthat includepostponing vacations and working 12-hour shifts, Leduc said.

The protest took place a week after the Quebec government announced funding to bolster medical staffingin theOutaouais region.

But Leducsaid nurses are fed up with the shortage, whichhas beena problemthe past eight years.

"They need something to change it right away. What they need is personnel."

Hospital officials would not commenton the protestor the talks with the union, but said they are trying to find solutions to the nursing shortage.

They also promisedthe Hull hospital emergency room, which wasat 140per centcapacity for most ofThursday,will stay open and will continue to provide normal services.