Released on August 11, 1998
Health Minister Clay Serby today announced that hiring is underway forthree new permanent nursing positions in the Battlefords Health
District. The District will receive $140,000 from the province to
hire nurses who will help meet urgent needs and improve quality of
health care for Saskatchewan residents.
In May, Serby announced that the province would provide $9 million to
fund 200 nursing positions across the province. The funds provided
will be within this year's $1.72 billion health budget.
"By providing these funds we are following through on the promise we
made to the nurses and residents of Saskatchewan," Serby said.
"Today's announcement is part of our continued commitment to
addressing the issue of increased workloads for frontline staff by
placing additional nurses where they are needed most."
"The district is grateful for the additional funding," said John
Yarske, CEO of the Battlefords Health District. "We are confident it
will help us in alleviating some of the nursing pressures we are
experiencing in key areas."
"With this initiative steps are being taken to address workload
issues for nurses," said Rosalee Longmoore, President of the
Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN). "Our members look forward to
working with health districts and the government to further
alleviate pressures on front line staff and to ensure that people
continue to receive quality care."
Hiring processes are currently underway in 12 health districts
and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. It is expected all positions
will be filled by the end of the year.
"Quality front-line care is a priority in this province," Serby
said. "Investing in nurses today is a positive step forward that
will help to further enhance health care delivery in the
Battlefords Health District and the health system as a whole, now
and into the future."
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For more information contact:
Jeff Brown
Communications and Public information Branch
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
Phone: (306)787-4088