This includes recruitment, training, incentive, and retention initiatives
The Saskatchewan government has unveiled the details of its "ambitious" four-point action plan to improve the numbers of healthcare workforce in the province.
The Health Human Resources Action Plan, which will amount to over $60 million of investment over the next several years, aims to recruit, train, incentivise, and retain healthcare workers to further their numbers.
"Bolstering our healthcare workforce through competitive recruitment efforts is a top priority for our government, and we are expanding on our four-point plan to recruit, train, incentivise and retain healthcare providers to stabilise and steadily grow the provincial workforce," said Health Minister Paul Merriman in a statement.
According to the plan, the province will recruit "hundreds of new healthcare workers" over two years by tapping into professionals abroad, newcomers, internationally educated healthcare professionals, and others with healthcare experience residing in Canada.
As part of its training method, the province is also planning to introduce a Canada-first "accelerated training, assessment, and licensure pathway" for nurses overseas who wish to work for Saskatchewan's healthcare system.
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The province also intends to launch an incentive programme that will provide up to "$50,000 over three years for a return-of-service agreement for hard-to-recruit positions mainly in rural and remote areas." Loan forgiveness programmes, bursaries, and financial support for those interested in having a health career in Saskatchewan are also in the government's plans.
To retain healthcare workers, the Saskatchewan Health Authority plans to develop a First Nations and Métis recruitment and retention strategy. The province will also add 100 new permanent full-time positions and convert 150 part-time roles to full-time permanent jobs for high-demand professions.
"This ambitious action plan will guide the health system as we train and recruit more health professionals and encourage them to practice in communities where they are most needed," said Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Everett Hindley in a statement.
Saskatchewan is among the list of provinces that are beefing up efforts to recruit and retain healthcare workers. The Northwest Territories recently rolled out its own string of incentives for this goal, as did the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
