The Services Employees International Union West (SEIU-West) is expressing cautious optimism following meetings with provincial health minister Jeremy Cockrill and the Minister of Rural and Remote Health Lori Carr.

SEIU-West raised several issues and made a few suggestions. It wants a Joint Nursing Team Task Force with a mandate and budget to make real improvements. This task force would include Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s) and Continuing Care Assistants.

The union also says operating rooms in small cities are running at less than full capacity because LPN’s are not being allowed to expand their knowledge and skills as Operating Room Technicians.

According to an SEIU news release, the provincial government is working on new legislation to ensure that the health professions work together with less turf protection and more collaboration.

SEIU-West indicates it wants more staff recruitment and retention as well as a commitment for the Health Ministers and Saskatchewan Health Authority leadership to regularly tour facilities.

“This used to happen in the past,” said Jason Monteith, Vice-President of SEIU-West. “It is a good way for leaders to understand the state of the buildings, staffing levels and the quality of care. It is a good way for everyone, top to bottom, to see and feel that we are all invested, all accountable, and all working together to make the system work better.”