DELEGATION RETURNS FROM SUCCESSFUL NURSING RECRUITMENT TRIP TO PHILIPPINES

Nearly 300 new nurses from the Philippines are expected to begin working in Saskatchewan health facilities by this summer. A delegation with representatives from five health regions, the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association, the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses, the Ministry of Health and Government returned Saturday from a successful nine-day nursing recruitment trip to Manila, Philippines.

"I appreciate the enthusiasm and hard work of the Saskatchewan crew," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "We are seeing results and we are on our way to fulfilling our government's commitment to recruit 800 registered nurses in our first term of office."

The recruitment trip was initiated by the participating health regions in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other agencies.

"The recruitment trip is a strong example of how the health regions and the Ministry of Health working together can find solutions to the human resources challenge we all face," Prince Albert Parkland Health Region Long-term Care and Rural Acute Director Carol Gregoryk said. "We are impressed with the qualifications and enthusiasm of the people we interviewed. I am excited about having several new nurses who will help us continue to provide high quality, compassionate care to the people we serve."

"It was a thrill to be a part of a strong delegation representing our terrific province and health care system," Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Health - Nurse Recruitment and Retention Laura Ross said. "They are wonderful people with a gentle, compassionate nature which makes them a lovely fit for the nursing profession. I can't say enough about the qualities and credentials of the nurses to whom we offered jobs."

The recruitment of nurses from the Philippines is one of many recruitment and retention strategies aiming at building the health provider workforce.

"We are seeking every creative option for securing health professionals in a highly competitive environment across North America," McMorris said. "It is fortunate that the Philippines trains more nurses than it needs and many nurses in the Philippines are seeking work in other countries. We want to make sure they have the option of choosing Saskatchewan."

The five Health Regions that participated on the recruitment trip were: Saskatoon, Regina Qu'Appelle, Sunrise, Prince Albert Parkland and Prairie North. The nurses who were offered jobs in Saskatchewan Health Regions are expected to start arriving in early summer.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

James Winkel
Saskatoon Health Region
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-655-3253

Mark Torjusen
Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region
Regina
Phone: 306-766-5332

Linda Lewis
Prairie North Health Region
North Battleford
Phone: 306-446-6625

Doug Dahl
Prince Albert Parkland Health Region
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-765-6409

Sharon Tropin
Sunrise Health Region
Phone: 306-786-0144