Released on March 6, 2008
Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region employees can look forward to improved workplaces, reduced burnout and more professional development opportunities, thanks to a series of new projects funded by retention grants offered by the provincial government.
Health Minister Don McMorris has announced $718,000 in funding for 12 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. Two additional projects announced today were approved in 2007 pending additional information.
"I am pleased with the enthusiastic response to the third round of retention grants," McMorris said. "We recognize that the best retention innovations often come from health providers themselves - they know what will work best in their workplace. This program capitalizes on that valuable knowledge, and helps in our efforts to keep and attract key health providers."
The Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region (MCRHR) project involves professional development training for mental health and addictions councillors to enable them to get immediate client feedback on the effectiveness of their counselling sessions. Project funding is $24,098.
"Our region recognizes the importance of professional development for our staff," MCRHR chief executive officer Kathy Chisholm said. "This funding will enable employees to gain skills that will enhance the delivery of services to our clients."
Projects can be initiated by health employees and other providers, employers, and provincial health sector organizations. Details on the program are posted on the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health website at www.health.gov.sk.ca.
Funding for the retention program flows from the $25 million retention and recruitment plan previously announced. The Saskatchewan Party government has identified recruitment and retention of health care workers as a priority. Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Health - Nurse Recruitment and Retention Laura Ross accompanied by health region staff are currently in the Philippines to attract approximately 300 nurses to the province. As well, Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) and McMorris signed a partnership agreement last week committing to work together to solve Saskatchewan's shortage of Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses.
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For more information, contact:
Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: adinsmore@health.gov.sk.ca
Linda Mikolayenko
Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region
La Ronge
Phone: 306-425-4812