Released on January 28, 2015
Health Minister Dustin Duncan, Service Employees International Union-West (SEIU-West) and four health regions – Saskatoon, Heartland, Five Hills and Cypress – are working together in a new partnership, as part of a shared commitment to patient first care and health system transformation.“This new partnership provides a great opportunity to work together to further our shared goal of a quality, patient-centred health care system,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said. “Saskatchewan’s health care workers are vital partners in bringing about the transformation we’re seeing in our health system.”
“This partnership marks a new chapter in the relationship SEIU-West has with the regional health authorities and the Ministry of Health,” SEIU-West President Barb Cape said. “We are committed to developing strategies to build safe, supportive and quality workplaces that develop a highly-skilled, professional and diverse workforce to ensure the future of our patient-first public health care system in Saskatchewan.”
Each of the parties recognizes the need to work collaboratively to attract, recruit, engage and recognize health care providers to ensure the future sustainability of the health care system in the delivery of patient and family-centred care.
“This agreement is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the collaboration that already exists with our ministry and SEIU-West colleagues in improving health care in Saskatchewan,” Saskatoon Health Region’s Human Resources Director Mike Northcott said, on behalf of the health regions. “We all share the same goal which is to provide safe, quality care to our patients, residents and clients.”
Since the partnership was signed in September 2014, the parties are working together on common areas of interest, including:
- Promoting a culture of safety;
- Increasing employee engagement;
- Continuously improving the health system in a manner that supports the principles of Better Health, Better Care, Better Value and Better Teams;
- Recruitment and retention;
- Attendance support; and
- Scheduling.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: Tyler.mcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Christine Miller
SEIU-West
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-370-4990
Email: christine.miller@seiuwest.ca
Linda Walker
Saskatoon Health Region
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-655-3476
Email: linda.walker@saskatoonhealthregion.ca
LeAnne Paproski
Heartland Health Region
Phone: 306-882-4111, ext. 2311
Email: Leanne.paproski@hrha.sk.ca
Kyle Matthies
Five Hills Health Region
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-8721
Email: kyle.matthies@fhhr.ca
Bryce Martin
Cypress Health Region
Swift Current
Phone: 306-778-5117
Email: bryce.martin@cypressrha.ca