CYPRESS HEALTH REGION AWARDED RETENTION GRANT

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

The Cypress Health Region project involves training staff to use defibrillators and other cardiac emergency equipment in order to contribute to improved safety in the workplace. Project funding is $52,441.

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.

"These training opportunities are just another way the Saskatchewan government is working on keeping and attracting key health providers to our growing province," Wood River MLA Yogi Huyghebaert said. "This is another way we can be competitive with other provinces and the education provides valuable knowledge."

"We appreciate the Ministry's funding for this very worthwhile educational offering for our staff and physicians," Cypress Health Region CEO Jim Hornell said. "Client care will be enhanced and staff education opportunities will be available closer to home, and at less cost, due to having the expertise of trainers right within our team of health providers."

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

Bryce Martin
Cypress Health Region
Swift Current
Phone: 306-778-5117