CYPRESS HEALTH REGION RECEIVES FUNDING FOR CREATING HEALTHY WORKPLACES

Cypress Health Region has received $365,635 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.

Cypress Health Region identified its priority for creating healthy workplaces. Its funding goes toward supporting staff to achieve a healthy lifestyle by focusing on issues such as proper nutrition, good mental health, and reduced substance use and abuse. Funding also goes toward hiring an occupational health and safety co-ordinator, which, in turn will help reduce workplace injuries and sick time.

"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 additional funding will assist the region to address one of our key operational objectives, that is creating healthier and more effective workplaces," Cypress Regional Health Authority Chair Dennis Lafreniere said. "Quality workplaces result in quality health care and that is our ultimate goal."

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:

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