Ontario nurse shortage keeps some kids home from school
For 12-year-old Quinn Wood, school is a safe place to socialize and learn.
But the Barrie boy has only seen the inside of a classroom nine times since the year started.
"He missed basically a month of school because there were no nurses," explains his father, Charles Wood.
Like many others across the province, Quinn's family has been affected by a shortage of nurses.
Diagnosed with diabetes and level two autism, Quinn requires a nurse to be at his side throughout the school day to test his blood sugar levels up to four times and administer insulin when necessary.
Charles Wood explains that Quinn doesn't exhibit the signs of spiking or dropping blood sugar that some people with diabetes do, and he lacks the self-awareness to flag a problem.
"Part of his beauty is his innocence," Wood says. "He understands that he needs the needle. He doesn't like it, but he understands that he needs it. But at the same time, he doesn't get the danger of it if he doesn't get (insulin)."
Last week, Home and Community Care Support Services, formerly known as the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), wrangled a newly hired nurse to support Quinn through the school year. Quinn is her primary focus, but she is also performing checks on two other students.
"It's a relief, but at the same time, there's a lot of other families out there in the exact same boat," Wood says. "They need a nurse full time, and there aren't any."
In a statement to CTV News, the agency writes:
Home and Community Care Support Services works with our service provider organizations and local school boards to provide in-school nursing to eligible children. We are continuing to work closely with our contracted service providers to secure services for these children.
The President of the Ontario Nurses Association describes a staffing shortage in all corners of the health care system as a crisis.
"We're looking at 18 to 22 percent vacancy rates across the board. So no surprise that exists in the school system," says Vicki McKenna.
While a lack of nurses for students may have been foreseeable, its not something that sits right with McKenna.
"That's not what Ontario is about. That's not what our system is about. I fear that it will get worse rather than better unless there's the attention paid now--focused, intense--and resources have to be put there in order to make this happen."
The Superintendent of Student Achievement(K-6) and Special Education for the Simcoe County District School Board is also uncomfortable with kids missing school because nurses aren't available.
"It's absolutely essential that all students come, but even probably more essential that our students with complex needs come to school," says Chris Samis.
He says the board has been working with families and service agencies to come up with creative solutions.
"That solution may be how do we utilize the parent to be able to provide support...we've actually looked at how to cluster students from multiple schools that have nursing supports together."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.