Executive Council
Health and Community Services
July 20, 2015
Supporting Effective Delivery of Health Care Services
Provincial Government Launches Strategic Health Workforce Plan
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today released the Newfoundland and Labrador Strategic Health Workforce Plan, 2015-2018. The plan is a comprehensive fiscally-responsible approach to addressing priority issues facing the provincial health workforce.
“The Strategic Health Workforce Plan supports a skilled workforce focused on the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities throughout the province. It aligns with the recently released Population Growth Strategy and reflects our government’s vision of encouraging people to choose Newfoundland and Labrador as their home which will support the long-term sustainability of our communities and regions.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services
The Newfoundland and Labrador Strategic Health Workforce Plan establishes a framework to ensure a stable and consistent supply of health professionals for the long-term. It is designed to meet the challenges facing the health system and workforce in the province and is guided by five over-arching strategic directions:
- Build quality workplaces;
- Establish appropriate workforce supply;
- Strengthen workforce capacity;
- Enhance leadership and management; and
- Maintain robust planning and evidence.
“The Strategic Health Workforce Plan was developed in close consultation with a wide variety of stakeholders and outlines goals and actions to support the more than 31,000 dedicated individuals who provide health and community services throughout our province every day. A skilled workforce focused on the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities is an essential component of accessible and sustainable health services for the future.”
- Minister Kent
Consultations were held with stakeholders representing nursing, allied health, and diagnostic professionals. In addition, extensive consultations were undertaken to ensure the strategic directions and associated goals would bring long-term stability to the health workforce and would address stakeholder priorities.
“We are pleased to move ahead with the development of this strategic workforce plan, as we know that a sustainable health care system is directly tied to a sustainable workforce. Our business hours are 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we recognize both the challenges and opportunities that come with that responsibility. I’m also pleased to report that we have already made significant progress at Eastern Health in the strategic directions that have been identified, as they align closely with our strategic priorities of quality and safety, access to service and a sustainable health care system.”
- David Diamond, President and CEO, Eastern Health
The Strategic Health Workforce Plan builds on Live Here, Work Here, Belong Here, A Population Growth Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, 2015-2025, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s 10-year plan to support individuals and families. The strategy will ensure investments and programs are aligned to encourage individuals to choose Newfoundland and Labrador to live, work and raise a family. The Population Growth Strategy is supported by four action plans covering the main elements of population growth – workforce, families, communities and immigration.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Strategic Health Workforce Plan, 2015-2018, is available at www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/shwp/pdf/shwp2015-18.pdf 
QUICK FACTS
- The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today released the Newfoundland and Labrador Strategic Health Workforce Plan, 2015-2018.
- The plan is a comprehensive fiscally-responsible approach to addressing priority issues facing the provincial health workforce.
- The Newfoundland and Labrador Strategic Health Workforce Plan, 2015-2018, is available at www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/shwp/pdf/shwp2015-18.pdf
- The plan builds upon the Provincial Government’s 10-year long-term sustainability plan, as well as Live Here, Work Here, Belong Here, A Population Growth Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, 2015-2025. For more information visit: www.gov.nl.ca/populationgrowth/
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Media contacts:
|
Tina Williams Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca |
Tracey Boland Media Relations Manager Eastern Health 709-777-1412 TraceyL.Boland@easternhealth.ca |
2015 07 20 2:10 p.m.