LAKEWOOD, Wash. (AP) - Union nurses are calling for the removal of five top administrators involved with oversight at Washington’s largest psychiatric hospital, including the chief nursing officer and an assistant secretary with the state Department of Social & Health Services.
A majority of nurses at the 700-patient Western State Hospital voted no confidence in the facility’s leadership, according to a news release from SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. The Seattle Times reports the union has about 400 members who are nurses and nurse supervisors at the hospital.
Safety and staffing levels were concerns before COVID-19 further disrupted operations, the union said. During the pandemic, the nurses say they have gone without needed personal protective equipment and that managers have ignored concerns voiced about safety.
At Western State, 29 employees and six patients have been infected with COVID-19. One patient died.
Cheryl Strange, the secretary of DSHS, said the agency was disappointed in the union’s action and said the department had been working in good faith to address concerns.
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