SASKATOON HEALTH REGION RECEIVES FUNDING FOR CREATING HEALTHY WORKPLACES

Saskatoon Health Region has received $167,300 to spend on two projects devoted to developing a high-quality, healthy work environment.

Saskatchewan Health is providing Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) $1.79 million in funding to spend on quality health workplace initiatives. This funding is designated for nine new projects in seven health regions, through a competitive process, with priority given to partnerships between one or more health regions and/or other health organizations. Projects focus on areas such as employee morale, job satisfaction, turnover rates, absenteeism and injury rates.

Saskatoon Health Region identified its priority for creating healthy workplaces. Its funding goes toward retention practices of managing an intergenerational workforce, and raising awareness of health care careers among Aboriginal youth.

"This funding will help us continue to create quality workplaces, a key component of our retention and recruitment efforts, as outlined in our Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care," Health Minister John Nilson said.

"This quality workplace funding will allow us to address two very important issues occurring in our health region," Saskatoon Health Region Interim CEO Jean Morrison said. "We will provide training to managers and staff on best practices in retaining a workforce comprised of up to three generations of staff, and addressing changing demographics in our community by promoting awareness of health careers to Aboriginal youth."

Saskatchewan Health has distributed the funding from the $66 million pledged to the province at the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting, along with additional provincial funding.

Improving the work environment of health care professionals is one of a variety of initiatives aimed at retaining and recruiting key health professionals to Saskatchewan.

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For More Information, Contact:

Leanne Nyirfa Saskatoon Health Region Saskatoon Phone: (306) 655-3386