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 the Lloydminster Health District.
"We've been listening to what people are saying about health care and
the need to increase our 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 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.
The funding is being provided to districts where the needs are
greatest because they are referral centres for their area.
"Our intention is to see these nurses added to the teams of health
providers in the highest-volume acute care wards, in long-term care
facilities facing the greatest pressures and in home care services
dealing with the greatest needs," Serby said.
The Lloydminster Health District will receive $80,000.
Lloydminster District Health Board Chair John Acton said, "This
additional funding for nursing positions equates to approximately
1.7 full-time equivalent nurses and is welcome as we are planning
for the year ahead. We welcome the additional funds which should
help alleviate pressures faced by nursing staff in the
Lloydminster Health District."
Acton said that the specific allocation of the positions would be
determined through consultation with local union representatives.
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For more information, contact:
Jeff Brown
Communications and Public Information Branch
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-4088
Troy Burnett
Lloydminster Health District
Phone: (306) 820-6181