Fundraising campaign started to help nurse pay fines

Nurses across Canada are rallying behind one of their own from Saskatchewan after she was fined for speaking out against the care of one of her family members.

Carolyn Strom posted on her Facebook page back in February 2015, criticizing her grandfather’s end-of-life care at a long-term care facility in Macklin.

Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association (SRNA) charged that Strom’s comments violated her grandfather’s privacy and brought the nursing profession into disrepute. She was fined $26,000.

“We really believe she’s being wrongfully accused of incompetence,” said Montreal-based nurse Natalie Doucet, who set up a Go Fund Me page that had already raised $2,900 as of Friday.

“We think it’s important to show our solidarity.

If the penalties levied by the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association aren’t paid by April 1, 2020, her licence will be suspended.

“There’s a real issue here about how nurses are able to contribute to the discussion on health care,” Doucet said.

“I feel we’re being muzzled and that’s a concern.”

Executive Director with the SRNA Carolyn Hoffman said In a statement to 650 CKOM in accordance with this process, the member has 30 days to appeal the decision and/or penalty decision.

She added since the process is still ongoing, SRNA is not in a position to comment.