Province creating hundreds of new health positions
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/06/2022 (1555 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Manitoba government is creating hundreds of positions to be filled by health-care aides and nurses, the province announced Friday.
The government will spend $16 million to recruit and hire more than 350 health-care aides to improve daily direct care for Manitobans, announced Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Scott Johnston. The province is also adding a combined 72 positions for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
The new health-care aide positions will increase the daily direct care ratio from 3.6 hours per resident to 3.8 hours per resident, according to Johnston. This is in response to calls for a higher ratio of care per resident listed in the 17 recommendations in the Stevenson Review, completed in January 2021 following the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the Maples Long-Term Care Home in Winnipeg.
“Longer term, our goal is to continue to establish more of an hourly ratio with our residents,” he said.
When asked about timelines, Johnston said he could not say when the positions would be filled.
Kathy McPhail, chair of the provincial team implementing the Stevenson Review recommendations, said hiring, recruiting and training will take time.
“We know that more than the number of positions announced today are required, but we also know the current labour force market out there,” she said.
To fill these positions, McPhail urged Manitobans to choose health-care careers, saying there are people needed in every aspect, from health care to human resources. While money is important, she stressed making health care an appealing career choice is paramount.
“We’re trying to create an environment in personal care homes that is attractive and supportive of staff, family and residents.”
To make this happen, $1.5 million of the funding will be used in tuition supports and direct care staff recruitment incentives, a news release stated. The funding will also be used to create medical leads for leadership and guidance in personal care home medical services, and infection prevention and control enhancements.
The news of the investment is welcomed by Glenda Short, Prairie Mountain Health lead of community and continuing care services.
“PMH is pleased to hear of this investment to increase supports at personal care homes (PCHs) throughout the province, including those located in our region,” she stated in an email. “This would include private (affiliated) PCHs within PMH. We will continue to work with Manitoba Health regarding the roll out plan of this initiative.”
Requests for comment from Shared Health were not answered by press time.
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