SUNstoppable Action

SUN members have a voice and mechanism for action, influence, and change to address safe patient care and healthy, quality work environments... and it works

Congratulations to the SUN Locals who achieved 26 gains for their units, facilities, patients/clients, registered nurses, and professional practice,  with the majority obtaining increased baseline staffing:

  • Local 2 - Rosthern Hospital
  • Local 15 - Wynyard Hospital
  • Local 33 - Battlefords Union Hospital
  • Local 53 - Biggar Hospital
  • Local 62 - Prince Albert, Victoria Hospital
  • Local 68 - Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital
  • Local 69 - Swift Current, Cypress Regional Hospital/Home Care
  • Local 75 - Saskatoon, Royal University Hospital
  • Local 89 - Shellbrook Hospital
  • Local 101 - Saskatoon, St. Paul’s Hospital
  • Local 102 - Melville, St. Peter’s Hospital
  • Local 103 - Maple Creek, Southwest Integrated Health Care Facility
  • Local 104 - Estevan, St. Joseph’s Hospital
  • Local 107 - Saskatoon, City Hospital
  • Local 257 - Saskatoon District Public Health & other Community Nurses
  • Local 312 – Fort Qu’appelle, All Nations Healing Hospital

Achievements include:

  • Increased registered nurse baseline staffing,
  • Support for additional certification (i.e.:  chemotherapy),
  • Implementation of professional practice policy/process to support suicide assessment and patient care,
  • Increased staffing of other healthcare providers, unlicensed care providers, and support staff, and
  • Increased security officers.

Strong collective agreement articles exist to address registered nursing professional practice, workload, and staffing concerns for every network, location, facility, and practice setting in Saskatchewan.  

When solutions cannot be found by the Nursing Advisory Committee, concerns can be escalated to the Executive Oversight Committee, Employer Board of Directors, and/or an Independent Assessment Committee.

Consistent documentation of professional practice, staffing and workload concerns by members, and continued persistence by Locals, have led to achievements. 

Local NAC Chairpersons should contact their Nurse Practice Officer to ensure all NAC gains and successes are documented for member communication.

Professional Practice Escalations

Executive Oversight Committee and SHA Board of Directors

Executive Oversight Committee: 1

SHA Board of Directors Referrals: 7

  • Completed Presentations: 4
  • Pending Presentations (2023): 1

Local 34 - Humboldt District Hospital: Emergency Department and Local 109 - La Ronge Health Centre were able to successfully withdraw on a ‘without prejudice basis’ their Board of Directors referrals as a direct result of increases to baseline staffing and new master schedules.

Independent Assessment Committee

Independent Assessment Committee Referrals: 4
Independent Assessment Committee Reports: 3

  • St. Paul’s Hospital – Emergency Department
  • Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital – Emergency Department
  • Saskatoon City Hospital – Emergency Department

Three IAC Hearings resulted in significant binding recommendations concerning registered nurses and professional practice improvement, including:

  • multiple registered nurse positions (Nurse A & B)
  • validating appropriate Charge Nurse and Triage Nurse assignments, and 
  • supporting orientation and education.  

Local 43 – Yorkton Regional Health Centre:  Intensive Care Unit withdrew an Independent Assessment Committee referral on a ‘without prejudice basis’, and continues to monitor the implementation of baseline staffing and improvement to professional practice concerns.

Future Activity (2023)

SHA Board of Directors Referrals - In Development: 5
Independent Assessment Committee Hearings: 4

  • March 2023:
    • Irene and Leslie Dube Cenre for Mental Health
    • Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital - Children’s Emergency Services
  • Pending Dates
    • St. Paul’s Hospital - 5th Medicine Unit
    • Lafleche Health Centre

To learn more about the concluded Independent Assessment Committee outcomes see the SUNstoppable Spotlight (below).

Watch your inbox for the next SUNstoppable Action in Summer 2023.