The saying goes only those in the kitchen actually know the heat.
So, too with healthcare professionals and frontline staff, they acutely understand the challenges of delivering quality service under pressure, hence when they propose ideas it should be taken seriously.
Thirty-two ideas to address healthcare concerns in Saskatchewan are now on the desk of health minister, Jeremy Cockrill.
The ideas cover things like: retention strategies, publishing health care disruptions in real time so people will know that the ER is not available, and scrap the LifeLabs contract as its a U.S. company that supports the Trump administration.
Also on the list to the health minister:
- Add worker protections into contracts to protect staff from dangerous levels of exhaustion and burnout
- Listen to health staff concerns and take action
- Phase-out out-of-province, expensive, private breast care
- Develop hands-on mentorship programs
- Replace costly contracts with full-time posts
- Develop the nurse’s task force that nurses have been asking for
- Bring back the public list of family doctors accepting new patients
The full list can be read here: LtrtoMinHealth.RRStrategies.29April25.
The Saskatchewan health ministry has replied saying, “Many of our initiatives already underway address the ideas put forward,” including:
- Establishment of a patient-focused Nursing Team Task Force
- Hiring 250 staff in rural and northern areas
- Adding over 900 new training seats in 33 health-care programs at post-secondary institutions
- Use of contracted staff to keep critical services open. This will be phased out when vacancies are filled
The ministry of health says it “appreciates suggestions to improve care for Saskatchewan residents.”
