REGINA - In view of today’s report of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN), Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili and Critic for Health Vicki Mowat called on the Sask. Party to acknowledge and address the chronic staffing crisis afflicting nurses and the health system.
“Saskatchewan nurses are unequivocal: they're ‘demoralized, exhausted, and losing confidence in provincial leadership,’” Meili said. “When faced with regular short-staffing, packed waiting rooms, and no immediate relief in sight it's no small wonder nurses are leaving in droves.”
68 per cent of nurses surveyed by SUN reported being dissatisfied with the Premier and Minister of Health. 89.2 per cent say there is currently a shortage of registered nurses available to cover absences or to meet higher service demands. And 57.4 per cent say they’ve considered stepping away from registered nursing in the past 12 months.
“We’ve seen report after report, testimony upon testimony, and with each revelation a provincial government determined to pretend all is normal,” Mowat said. “Now is the time for the Sask. Party to finally step up and fix our crumbling health system. That starts with supporting nurses.”
The Official Opposition calls on the provincial government to amend its budget in line with the myriad concerns raised by SUN and immediately tackle the healthcare staffing crisis.
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Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.