MAMAWETAN CHURCHILL RIVER HEALTH REGION RECEIVES FUNDING FOR CREATING A HEALTHY WORKPLACE

Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region has received $27,100 to spend on a project devoted to developing a high-quality, healthy work environment.

Saskatchewan Health is providing Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) $1.79 million in funding to spend on quality health workplace initiatives. This funding is designated for nine new projects in seven health regions, through a competitive process, with priority given to partnerships between one or more health regions and/or other health organizations. Projects focus on areas such as employee morale, job satisfaction, turnover rates, absenteeism and injury rates.

Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region identified its priority for creating quality health workplaces. Its funding goes toward purchasing a computer system that assists managers to complete staff performance appraisals, which, in turn, will provide employees with feedback to do a better job.

"This funding will help us continue to create quality workplaces, a key component of our retention and recruitment efforts, as outlined in our Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care," Health Minister John Nilson said.

"We are pleased to receive this funding," Mamawetan Churchill River Regional Health Authority CEO Lionel Chabot said. "It will enable us to provide a high-quality work environment and meet the needs of our staff in maintaining a balance between work and family."

"By focusing on quality workplaces, we help make Saskatchewan a more attractive place for health care workers to stay and practice their profession," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister and Cumberland MLA Joan Beatty said.

Saskatchewan Health has distributed the funding from the $66 million pledged to the province at the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting, along with additional provincial funding.

Improving the work environment of health care professionals is one of a variety of initiatives aimed at retaining and recruiting key health professionals to Saskatchewan.

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For More Information, Contact:

Teresa Heinrichs Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region La Ronge Phone: (306) 425-4834