PROVINCE FUNDS QUALITY HEALTH WORKPLACES

The provincial government is providing Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency $2 million in funding to spend on quality health workplace initiatives. This funding is part of the $66 million incremental funding arising from the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

"Creating quality workplaces is a key component of our retention and recruitment efforts, as outlined in our Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care," Health Minister John Nilson said. "By focusing on quality workplaces, we help make Saskatchewan a more attractive place for health care workers to stay and practice their profession."

Of this funding, $1 million is allocated to the 12 RHAs and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency through a base funding of $50,000 and an additional top-up based upon the number of employees in each health region. This money will be used for regional initiatives in areas such as employee morale, job satisfaction, turnover rates, absenteeism and injury rates.

The remaining $1 million is devoted to new projects, with priority given to partnerships between one or more health regions and/or other health organizations.

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 Ministers' 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.

See attachment for regional breakdown of projects.

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For More Information, Contact:

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