YORKTON - The Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency (SHRA) has released a Healthcare Practitioner Community Support Toolkit aimed at supporting communities engaged or interested in local efforts to retain healthcare practitioners.
“Part of the SHRA’s mandate is to contribute to a positive experience for health practitioners, especially those new to our province or country, by working with all stakeholders on settlement and retention strategies,” SHRA Chief Executive Officer Terri Strunk said in an agency release. “During our outreach to communities across Saskatchewan over the last year, we heard so many great examples of what they are doing to assist our health system with retention and we wanted to find a way to share those ideas with others.”
Yorkton Mayor Aaron Kienle said the new initiative is a positive one.
“We are pleased that the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency has released this toolkit,” he told Yorkton This Week.
“As a Council, we recognize the ongoing challenges in healthcare recruitment and retention, and we truly appreciate the support in addressing this vital issue.”
Kienle said the toolkit really dovetails with other local efforts.
“Earlier this winter, we were encouraged by a local event focused on retaining healthcare professionals, and we look forward to supporting more initiatives like this in the future. Strengthening our healthcare system is a shared priority, and collaboration is key.”
The toolkit is designed for communities welcoming new healthcare providers arriving from within the province, the country or internationally. It shares the activities of other Saskatchewan communities who have had success with retention of local practitioners and offers guidance on essential aspects of relocation - from finding housing and childcare to identifying spousal employment opportunities and creating recreation and cultural connections. This comprehensive support can ease the transition and promote long-term retention of these valuable healthcare professionals.
SHRA is committed to providing support to communities to initiate these activities and will continue engagement efforts with health practitioners and community leaders, to build on the toolkit, adding new initiatives in the future.
“As healthcare providers set up practice in Saskatchewan, the SHRA’s toolkit will be a great reference for communities to ensure they feel welcome and experience a smooth and successful transition,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr said in the agency release. “Building strong relationships with providers and their families can be encouraging when making the choice to put down roots and build a life here. This tool helps to address an important part of our Health Human Resource Action Plan by offering healthcare stability and improving access for residents.”
For more information and to download a copy of the Healthcare Practitioner Community Support Toolkit visit saskhealthrecruitment.ca
