The head of the Winnipeg’s health authority says the health-care system is beginning to see the benefits of provincial financial incentives announced months ago to help address Manitoba nursing shortages.
The province announced $200-million last fall to hire 2,000 more health-care workers, provide a range of incentives to keep workers in Manitoba and to attract others to work in the province. Health Minister Audrey Gordon said on Friday $123 million in incentives is specifically devoted to staffing issues in nursing.
Mike Nader, president and chief executive officer of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, said it’s still early days but some of those incentive programs already seem to be helping.
The funds announced in November meant to shore up nursing resources are for nine initiatives focused on retaining and recruitment, including a new annual payment for nurses who work full-time and give nurses who left the field a financial incentive to return.
“They provide critical services under sometimes extraordinary pressures,” Gordon said at the Friday news conference. “Supporting the health and wellness of nurses who are providing care to others is a priority.”