SUNstoppable Action

SUN members have a voice and mechanism for action to create healthy, quality work environments for safer patient care …. and it works! 

Congratulations to the SUN Locals, Nursing Advisory Committees, and members who completed work situation reports to improve registered nursing practice, workload, and patient safety in their workplaces.

  • Local 6 – Unity Hospital
  • Local 11 – Kindersley Integrated Health Care Facility
  • Local 31 – Assiniboia Union Hospital Integrated Facility
  • Local 53 – Biggar Hospital 
  • Local 62 – Prince Albert, Victoria Hospital
  • Local 68 – Moose Jaw, Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital
  • Local 69 – Swift Current, Cypress Regional Hospital
  • Local 102 – Melville, St. Peter’s Hospital
  • Local 107 – Saskatoon City Hospital

Achievements Included:

  • Increased registered nurse baseline staffing,
  • Additional Nurse B Coordinator staffing, and
  • Nurse Practitioner position.

Consistent documentation of professional practice, staffing and workload concerns by members, and continued persistence by Locals and Nursing Advisory Committees have led to these 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

When a Local Nursing Advisory Committee cannot resolve member concerns with the employer, work situation reports can be escalated to the Executive Oversight Committee, Saskatchewan Health Authority Board of Directors, and an Independent Assessment Committee.

Saskatchewan Health Authority – Board of Directors:  5 Referrals

Completed Presentations:

  • Jim Pattison Childrens Hospital – Maternal Services
  • Pasqua Hospital – Medical Surveillance Unit
  • Royal University Hospital – Coronary Care Unit

Pending Presentation:

  • Pasqua Hospital - Accountable Care Unit (former Unit 4B)

One Board of Directors referral has been placed into abeyance on a ‘without prejudice basis’ following receipt of an employer proposal to increase permanent RN staffing. 

  • Saskatoon - Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Saskatchewan

In Development:  9 Board Referrals

 

Independent Assessment Committee

Three IAC Hearings were completed in 2023, significantly increasing baseline registered nurse staffing.  A clear message was confirmed on insufficient staffing, workload concerns, and the lack of an appropriate environment for safe and appropriate registered nursing practice.    

A significant gain was achieved with a 2-year Nurse Practitioner Pilot project in the JPCH – Children’s Emergency Services, now in development. 

  • Royal University Hospital – Irene and Leslie Dube Centre for Mental Health 
  • Jim Pattison Childrens Hospital - Children’s Emergency Services
  • St. Paul’s Hospital - 5th Medicine Unit

Three IAC Hearing referrals were placed into abeyance on a ‘without prejudice basis’ following receipt of employer proposals for resolution before hearings occurred, implementing binding recommendations made by Locals and SUN Provincial:    

  • Lafleche Health Centre
  • Jim Pattison Childrens Hospital - Maternal Services
  • Pasqua Hospital - Medical Surveillance Unit

Pending IAC Panel Reports:

  • Royal University Hospital - Emergency Department (due January 29, 2024)

To be Scheduled (2024):

  • Royal University Hospital – Coronary Care Unit

To learn more about the concluded Independent Assessment Committee Hearing outcomes, see the applicable SUNstoppable Spotlight.