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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sonia Lawrence, President of New York State Nurses Health and Hospitals Mayoral Executive Committee
2:13:07
ยท
3 min
Sonia Lawrence, a nurse at Lincoln Hospital and president of the New York State Nurses Health and Hospitals Mayoral Executive Committee, expresses solidarity with the Doctors Council in their fight for a fair contract. She highlights the crisis in recruitment and retention affecting the entire healthcare system and its impact on patient care.
- Lawrence emphasizes the negative consequences of H+H's decision to cut new patient appointment times, leading to rushed assessments and potential misdiagnoses.
- She supports the Doctors Council's planned work stoppage, drawing parallels to successful collective actions by nurses that resulted in better working conditions and patient outcomes.
- Lawrence urges the City Council to advocate for fair treatment and adequate resources for all H+H healthcare workers to create a healthier New York City.
Sonia Lawrence
2:13:07
Thank you.
2:13:08
Good afternoon.
2:13:09
My name is Sonia Lawrence, and I am the a nurse at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx.
2:13:15
And I'm the president of new the New York State Nurses Health and Hospital Mayoral Executive Committee representing nearly 10,000 nurses in New York Health and Hospitals.
2:13:25
Today, I stand in solidarity with the doctor's counsel as they continue fight for a fair contract.
2:13:31
We are witnessing a crisis in recruitment and retention that is impacting not just our doctors, but also the entire health care system, including nurses like myself.
2:13:42
Over the past several months, I have seen firsthand the strains that the staffing crisis has placed on our health and hospital facilities.
2:13:50
It also feels like we are just barely keeping our heads above water, and the crisis has real consequences on our patient.
2:13:59
When we cannot recruit and retain qualified health care professional, it becomes increasingly difficult to provide the high quality care that our community deserves.
2:14:08
The unilateral cuts to new patients' appointment time implemented by H and H has further exacerbated this crisis.
2:14:16
As a nurse, I witnessed the frustration and anxiety on our patients' faces when they cannot access timely care.
2:14:23
This decision has forced doctors to see more patient in less time, reducing the opportunity for meaningful interactions and proper assessment.
2:14:32
Comprehensive patient evaluation are critical to accurate diagnosis and development of effective treatment plans.
2:14:39
Rushing through assessment due to insufficient staffing and unrealistic time constraints increases the likelihood of misdiagnosis, improper treatment, and ultimately worst health outcomes, jeopardizing our well being and the well-being of the community we serve.
2:14:57
The doctor's council decision to plan a work stoppage is not just about physicians.
2:15:04
It's about all of us who are dedicated to the mission of providing health care for all who needs it.
2:15:13
Doctors are taking the stand for their patients.
2:15:16
As we have seen with nurses, residents, and other frontline workers, collective actions to demand safe staffing and better working condition results in greater working retention and better patient outcomes.
2:15:29
NISNA victory for nurses parity pay and real staffing improvements have shown that improvements in our public health system are both possible and that the past is a stronger patient outcome.
2:15:41
The employer and and HNA should follow the model to get the doctor council a fair deal.
2:15:47
NISNA supports the doctor's council, demands for a fair pay, and better working conditions.
2:15:53
I urge the city council and the members of this committee to recognize the critical nature of these negotiations and to advocate for fair treatment, adequate resources for all h and h health care workers.
2:16:05
Our patients deserve a robust health care system that prioritizes their needs and ensure that those who serve them do so without fear of burnout or adequate or inadequate support.
2:16:18
Together, we can create a healthier New York City for everyone.
2:16:22
Thank you for your time.