Nurses who test positive for COVID-19 could face lengthy delays when waiting for compensation through WorkSafeBC (WSBC), says the BC Nurses Union (BCNU).
According to the union, 136 nurses have been diagnosed with COVID-19 as of June 8, which makes up just over 20 per cent of the cases among healthcare workers in the province.
Christine Sorensen, president of the BCNU, said in a media statement that nurses should not have to worry about delays or barriers when filing a claim during the pandemic.
“We are concerned the process will be unreasonably slow and unable to respond in a timely manner given the acuteness of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sorensen.
“Nurses and health-care workers who are infected with the virus while performing their duty to care for patients must be supported immediately.”
While the BCNU has raised concerns to Harry Bains, B.C.’s Minister of Labour, the union has also launched an online campaign for the public to write to their local MLA that COVID-19 should be listed as an occupational disease that can be contracted in the workplace.
“We need to ensure the health and well-being of nurses and all health care workers is a top priority and doesn’t get bogged down by bureaucratic delays,” Sorensen added.
Craig Fitzsimmons, spokesperson at WorkSafeBC, told the Richmond News they are still in the proposal stage of adding in covid-19 to the list of occupational diseases.
The WorkSafeBC board of directors proposed already in April that COVID-19 or “similar diseases” be claimed through WSBC and that the process would be expedited.
Therefore, COVID-19 claims would be presumed to be caused through employment “unless proven otherwise,” explained Fitzsimmons, adding that the board will review and consider “the medical and scientific research along with the consultation feedback before making a decision to the proposed addition to Schedule 1” – a recognized list of occupational diseases – in the Workers Compensations Act.
“While this work is underway, COVID-19 claims will continue to be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis, based on the specific facts of each case, consistent with current law and policy.”
