PROVINCE AWARDS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS

The provincial government has given Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, and Saskatchewan Institute for Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) $1 million in funding to spend on professional development of health care workers. This funding is part of the $66 million incremental funding arising from the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

"Keeping key health care professionals in Saskatchewan is a top priority of this government, and it is a priority we committed to when the Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care was released in 2001," Health Minister John Nilson said. "By focusing on the professional development of health care workers, we help make Saskatchewan a more attractive place for them to stay and practice their profession."

Of this funding, $800,000 is allocated to the 12 RHAs and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency through a base funding of $25,000 and an additional top-up based upon the number of employees in each health region. The money will be used for professional development programs focusing on alternate dispute resolution, health student preceptorship orientation (a clinical education program between students and health professionals), and skills-specific courses, training seminars and guest lecturers.

The remaining $200,000 goes to SIAST for return-for-service bursaries targeted to perioperative nursing and basic critical care nursing. These bursaries range from $3,000 to $7,000, and are offered throughout the year to nurses wanting to upgrade their skills and knowledge.

Additional federal funding is designated for other priority areas, including reducing surgical and diagnostic wait times, purchasing equipment, improving patient safety, and infrastructure funding.

The federal funding available this year amounts to about three per cent of Saskatchewan's $2.7 billion annual health budget. Under the First Minister's agreement, the province will receive an average of $90 million over the next six years. Health costs are rising at approximately six per cent per year.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jocelyn Argue Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083