NORTHERN INTER-TRIBAL HEALTH AUTHORITY AWARDED EMPLOYEE RETENTION GRANT

Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) health employees can look forward to improved workplaces, reduced burnout and more professional development opportunities, thanks to retention grants introduced by the provincial government this past January.

Health Minister Len Taylor today announced approximately $1 million in funding for 15 innovative projects -- recommended by health professionals -- that will benefit a wide range of workers throughout the province. This funding is part of the $6 million Health Workforce Employee Retention Program, which supports creative, grassroots initiatives designed to help keep health employees working in Saskatchewan's health care system.

"Keeping and attracting key health providers in urban, rural and northern communities continues to be a top priority of this government," Taylor said. "I am pleased with the enthusiastic response to this first round of our retention grants. The best retention innovations often come from health providers themselves - they know what will work best in their workplaces - and this program capitalizes on that valuable knowledge."

NITHA's project involves purchasing a telehealth gateway to allow for enhanced video conferencing and educational telehealth capacity in the North. This will enhance educational opportunities for staff and allow for more involvement at meetings. Project funding is $91,911.

Projects can be initiated by health employees and other providers, employers, and provincial health sector organizations. A detailed list of approved projects is attached. Details on the program are posted on the Saskatchewan Health website at www.health.gov.sk.ca.

Funding for the retention program flows from the $25 million retention and recruitment plan announced in September 2006. The program has been designed and recommended by committees that were established to provide advice on how the retention and recruitment plan money should be directed, working within the framework of the nationally recognized strategy, the Health Workforce Action Plan.

They build on other new programs aimed at recruiting valuable health providers, including the creation of a provincial recruitment agency - HealthCareersinSask.ca - the Saskatchewan Relocation Program and the Saskatchewan Rural, Northern and Hard-to-Recruit Program. Since these grant programs were introduced in October 2006, more than 180 health care workers have received recruitment grants and will be providing care to Saskatchewan residents.

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For more information, contact:

Joan Petrie
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: jpetrie@health.gov.sk.ca