CONSULTATION CONFERENCE FOR PROVINCIAL HEALTH HUMAN RESOURCE PLAN

Saskatchewan Health continues to follow through on its commitment to develop a strategic health human resource plan for the province.

A health human resource consultation conference, being held today in Regina, brings together health partners to discuss the key elements of a provincial health human resources plan. This plan flows from the First Ministers' Conference of 2004 and builds upon the province's Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care.

"Developing a health human resource plan for Saskatchewan will help us identify initiatives to address shortages in the number of key health care providers," Health Minister John Nilson said. "It will build on strategies introduced in the Action Plan, and help make our province a more attractive place for health care workers to stay and practice their profession."

During the past five months, Saskatchewan Health has worked with its partners in the health system to help define the issues, goals, objectives and potential solutions to the province's health human resource challenges.

The development of a health human resource plan is part of the government's ongoing commitment to keep and attract health providers and to improve health workplaces in the province.

Saskatchewan Health, along with health care provider organizations and health regions, has made significant progress in this area since the Action Plan was introduced four years ago. Key initiatives include:

·Training and educating more health care providers;

·Developing a workforce that represents the people it serves;

·Expanding bursary programs for needed health care professionals;

·Expanding continuing education and development;

·Improving workplace environments; and

·Committing to health sciences education and research.

Developing a provincial health human resource plan is another major step toward addressing the province's retention and recruitment issues. The plan will become public by Dec. 31st, 2005.

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For More Information, Contact:

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