PRAIRIE NORTH HEALTH REGION AWARDED RETENTION GRANT

Prairie North Health Region's health employees can look forward to improved workplaces, reduced burnout and more professional development opportunities, thanks to a series of new projects funded by retention grants offered by the provincial government.

Health Minister Don McMorris has announced $718,000 in funding for 12 innovative projects - recommended by health professionals - that will benefit a wide range of workers throughout the province. This funding is part of the $6 million Health Workforce Employee Retention Program, which supports creative, grassroots initiatives designed to help keep health employees working in Saskatchewan's health care system. Two additional projects announced today were approved in 2007 pending additional information.

"I am pleased with the enthusiastic response to the third round of retention grants," McMorris said. "We recognize that the best retention innovations often come from health providers themselves - they know what will work best in their workplace. This program capitalizes on that valuable knowledge, and helps in our efforts to keep and attract key health providers."

Lloydminster MLA Tim McMillan on behalf of McMorris presented a cheque to the Prairie North Health Region (PNHR) for a project that involves enhancing computer access at community health clinics in Lloydminster and Meadow Lake to increase public health nurses' (PHN) efficiency and to ensure data is entered in a timely manner. Project funding is $6,500.

"Having quality healthcare for Saskatchewan residents is a top priority for our government," said McMillan. "I am optimistic that this initiative will help ensure the safety and health of our people."

"The retention dollars will provide additional computers at the two sites to ensure that each PHN has ready access to technology at their individual workstation," PNHR Vice-President of Primary Health Services Glennys Uzelman said. "Improving the efficiency of the workplace is an important element in retention of health professionals and we appreciate the PHNs' initiative in putting forth the proposal."

Projects can be initiated by health employees and other providers, employers, and provincial health sector organizations. Details on the program are posted on the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health website at www.health.gov.sk.ca.

Funding for the retention program flows from the $25 million retention and recruitment plan previously announced. The Saskatchewan Party government has identified recruitment and retention of healthcare workers as a priority. Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Health - Nurse Recruitment and Retention Laura Ross accompanied by health region staff are currently in the Philippines to attract approximately 300 nurses to the province. As well, Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) and McMorris signed a partnership agreement last week committing to work together to solve Saskatchewan's shortage of Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: adinsmore@health.gov.sk.ca

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