FIVE HILLS HEALTH REGION AWARDED RETENTION GRANTS

Five Hills Health Region's health employees can look forward to improved workplaces and more professional development opportunities, thanks to three projects funded by health workforce retention grants offered by the provincial government.

The Five Hills Health Region projects involve providing in-house professional development training for physical and occupational therapists, education for Moose Jaw Union LPNs and the expansion of Tele-health education capabilities to Gravelbourg. Providing training in the workplace creates greater access and eliminates travel time for employees. Project funding for these three initiatives is $66,656.

Health Minister Don McMorris is announcing today approximately $1.9 million in funding for 37 innovative projects - recommended by health professionals - that will benefit a wide range of workers throughout the province. This funding is part of the Health Workforce Employee Retention Program, which supports creative, grassroots initiatives designed to help keep health employees working in Saskatchewan's health care system.

"It's important we find ways to not only keep our key health care providers but attract new ones to the province as well," Moose Jaw North MLA Warren Michelson said. "This is definitely a top priority for our government. The retention grants have been well received within the region."

"We appreciate the Ministry's funding for this very worthwhile educational initiative for our physical and occupational therapists and LPNs who provide very important services to people of all ages," Five Hills Health Region Interim Chief Executive Officer Cheryl Craig said. "Client care will be enhanced and staff education opportunities will be available closer to home, and at less cost, now that Tele-health education will be available."

Projects were initiated by health employees and other providers, employers and provincial health sector organizations. Details on the workforce retention program are posted on the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health website at www.health.gov.sk.ca. This completes the $25 million funding for the retention and recruitment plan previously announced.

The government has identified retention and recruitment of health care workers as a priority. The Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) and the government of Saskatchewan signed a partnership agreement in 2008 committing to work together to solve Saskatchewan's shortage of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses. Under the SUN/Government Partnership Agreement, any retention initiatives specific to nursing can be forwarded to the Joint SUN/Health Region Recruitment and Retention Committee for consideration. The government has committed $60 million to support this work.

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For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

Debra Cotter
Five Hills Health Region
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-0231