News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

Retention bonus urgently needed to address health care staff shortage says Opposition
August 20, 2007

Liberal Opposition Health and Community Services Critic, Dwight Ball, says it=s time government immediately offer up retention bonuses to retain valuable health care workers in an effort to help address chronic staff shortages and extended wait times.

Nursing shortages across the province have created staffing problems this summer leading to cancelled vacation times, as well as the closure of emergency units and longer ER waiting times. Government has not been able to address this critical concern and the nurses union has warned that it is Ajust a disaster waiting to happen@, unless government is more successful in its efforts.  Contract talks between government and the union expire in 2008. 

ARather than wait until next year when formal negotiations between the two begin, I am urging that government now bridge the gap by paying a retention bonus,@ says Ball. AThis would demonstrate in a tangible way to staff that their work is valued and would encourage them to remain within our health care system.@ 

Ball points out that the retention bonus is a quick-fix solution that would address some of the short-term problems, but cautions that  longer-term solutions would be required. AThis field is a highly competitive one and if the short-term issues are not addressed, then achieving longer-term solutions will be even more difficult and challenging.    

AIt is clear that retention is much easier to maintain than achieving success at recruitment. Government needs to be more cognizant of this reality when it is implementing measures to address shortages, including the chronic shortages of x-ray and laboratory technologists who held protest demonstrations earlier this summer to highlight their concerns. 

AHopefully, a stronger contract for health care workers next year will go a long way to solving chronic staffing issues. The reality today, however, is that this issue is negatively impacting services across the province, particularly at the Health Sciences emergency unit and at nursing homes.  It is time for government to show better leadership and implement more creative solutions, such as retention bonuses to show those who provide essential care in our health care system that they are valued and appreciated.@

Media Contact:
Kim Ploughman
Caucus Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6427