Released on May 25, 1998
Health Minister Clay Serby announced today that additional nurses willbe hired to meet urgent needs and improve the quality of health care
in Battlefords Health District.
"We've been listening to what people are saying about health care and
the need to increase our number of front line workers," Serby said.
"We've announced additional funding to hire new nursing staff. Our
goal is to ensure the quality of care and to put some additional staff
where they are most needed."
Serby announced on May 19 that 200 new nurses will be hired across the
province. The government will invest an estimated $9 million from
this year's $1.72 billion health budget.
Serby said that the funding has been targeted to the districts which
provide a higher level of acute care services and who serve residents
outside their own districts. The Battlefords Health District will
receive $140,000, which equates to approximately three and a half
positions.
Health District Chairperson Fred Sawula said, "These additional
nursing positions are welcome as we are planning for the year ahead.
We are encouraged by the increase in front line nursing positions,
which will benefit patient care."
Sawula said that the specific allocation of the positions would
be determined through consultation with district staff, including
nursing unit managers and members of the Saskatchewan Union of
Nurses.
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For more information, contact:
Jeff Brown
Communications and Public Information Branch
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-4088
Linda Lewis
Communications Officer
Battlefords Health District
Phone: (306) 446-6625