Highlights from the February 27 meeting of the Sun Country Regional Health Authority:
*Members learned that the health region has awarded 47 bursaries since April 1, 2012. Recipients included students in the following programs: 32 in registered nursing; one in the registered psychiatric program; one nurse practitioner; one in occupational therapy; one in physical therapy; four in medicine; and six in EMS. Fifty-five bursaries were awarded in 2011-2012. The region is now considering new applications.
*Two registered nurses, three EMS personnel, two combined lab/x-ray therapists, and one out of scope employee were hired from January 23 to February 14. During the same period, four registered nurses, three licensed practical nurses, one combined lab/x-ray therapist and one out-of-scope staff member resigned.
*Sun Country is working with 10 doctors at different stages of the recruitment process.
*A doctor recruitment task force has been established in Weyburn to look into ways to attract and retain doctors.
*As of February 10, there are no patients in SCHR who have waited more than six months for surgery.
*Sun Country Mental Health and Addictions programs continue to participate in a provincial LEAN initiative to reduce wait times for clients seeking services. All of the very severe, severe, moderate and mild adult addictions clients were served within the target time period. One hundred per cent of the very severe adult mental health clients were seen within the target time period, while 73 per cent of the severe, 24 per cent of the moderate and 69 per cent of the mild clients were seen within the target time period.
*The cook shortage appears to have eased in Weyburn. However, Sun Country continues to experience shortages for cooks and food service workers in Gainsborough, Lampman, Fillmore, Moose Mountain Lodge in Carlyle, and at Willowdale Lodge in Kipling.
*The next meeting of the health authority will be held Wednesday, March 27 in Weyburn.
