CYPRESS HEALTH REGION AWARDED RETENTION GRANTS

Cypress Health Region 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 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."

The Cypress Health Region projects involve a computer database to track employees' educational needs and the expansion to rural communities of a model of nursing care that emphasizes nursing autonomy. Funding for the projects is $86,782.

"We are very pleased that the government is supporting retention initiatives within our health region," Cypress Health Region chief executive officer Jim Hornell said. "These new projects will greatly benefit our present and future employees, and will help the Cypress Health Region continue to be an employer of choice in southwest Saskatchewan."

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 health care 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

Julene Restall
Cypress Health Region
Swift Current
Phone: 306-778-5407