As the health region spending the most, Prairie Mountain Health has been directed to reduce private agency nursing costs by 15 per cent by the end of this fiscal year.
Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara issued the directive last week as part of a systemwide effort to refocus funding on nurses in the public system.
“Prairie Mountain Health has consistently been dealt a bad hand,” said Asagwara.
“Alongside the challenges in the area, the previous government gave the region little to no support by cutting services, closing ERs and firing nurses resulting in millions overspent on private nursing agencies. Enough is enough. It’s time to put a hard stop on private for-profit nursing agency over-spending and re-invest in the public system. Our government is committed to working with all health regions to bring nurses back into the public system.”
In an emailed statement Prairie Mountain Health indicated patient care will be a priority as it works to fulfill the government’s directive.
“Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is committed to providing consistent, safe, reliable and quality care. PMH commends the work of the Province in reducing reliance on agency nursing. We are diligently working to reduce our dependency on private agencies,” the statement read.
“The recent issue of the request for proposal referenced in the provincial announcement is a step toward redirecting nurses into the public system. In addition, reducing the number of agency organizations will assist in streamlining administrative processes, and in reducing costs. Utilizing the provincial travel nurse team is also proving to be an effective way to reduce agency nurse usage.”
The statement also indicated the health authority remains committed to hiring nurses into the provincial system.
“We remain focused on recruitment strategies including promoting the advantages of working for PMH versus agency. PMH offers robust staff wellness resources, a pension plan and benefits that are not usually available through private employers,” the statement read.
“Regional recruitment initiatives also include attendance at career fairs, offering student practicums, and local and provincial grants and incentives.”
PC Health Critic Kathleen Cook said attempts by the government to shift the focus to PMH is simply a distraction from their own failures to address problems in the system.
Documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests show agency nursing costs in PMH have increased by 25 per cent this year, with the province on track to spend more than $25 million on agency nurses in Prairie Mountain Health alone.
Read the full story in this week’s edition of The Dauphin Herald.
