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Health restructuring must not reduce existing services or disrupt patient care: SGEU

“SGEU/NUPGE is committed to working with the provincial government to ensure that the high quality services currently provided by our members aren’t disrupted during the restructuring of the health care system." — Bob Bymoen, SGEU President

Regina (12 Jan. 2017) — The Saskatchewan government must ensure that front-line workers and patient care won’t be adversely affected as it consolidates the province’s 12 Regional Health Authorities into one, according to the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE).

Restructuring brings uncertainty to patients and to workers

“Workers on the front-lines of health care in Saskatchewan provide quality care for patients, and deserve reassurance from this government that the services they deliver won’t be compromised as a result of restructuring,” says SGEU President Bob Bymoen. “Right now, there is a lot of uncertainty about what this process will mean for both workers and patients.”

"The government must maintain existing service levels in order for health providers to continue delivering the vital care that Saskatchewan people rely on," says Bymoen.

“With change comes concern,” Bymoen says. “We’re concerned that health restructuring could disrupt the continued delivery of high-quality patient care, or cause unnecessary stress for front-line workers, who are already overworked. We’re concerned that a single, province-wide authority could jeopardize services in remote and sparsely populated areas of the province.”

SGEU/NUPGE health care workers will protect quality and access to services

Bymoen says SGEU/NUPGE will continue to advocate for its members to ensure that the restructuring process doesn’t create stress for health care providers.

“Our members are dedicated professionals, who find pride and satisfaction in delivering quality care to Saskatchewan residents,” says Bymoen. “SGEU/NUPGE is committed to working with the provincial government to ensure that the high quality services currently provided by our members aren’t disrupted during the restructuring of the health care system."

“The bottom line is that Saskatchewan residents must not see their services reduced,” adds Bymoen.

SGEU/NUPGE represents approximately 2,500 health care workers in the health regions of Kelsey Trail, Keewatin Yatthé, and Mamawetan Churchill River health regions, at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, and at J.T. Ambulance Service and the Cowessess First Nation.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 370,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE