It's hard to keep track of everything when it feels like the world is crumbling around you. SUN members are experiencing unimaginable pressures in workplaces throughout Saskatchewan's ailing health system:

From AIMS payroll errors, supply procurement failures and issues with job postings, to growing numbers of hallway beds, tertiary ER overcrowding and constant registered nursing staffing shortages in nearly every area, healthcare in the province is under unprecedented levels of strain.

 

What SUN is doing to advocate on members’ behalf

SUN has been working to support members by ensuring your rights are protected and your voice is heard. This includes meeting with key stakeholders who can influence change, and holding decision-makers accountable.

Recent and Ongoing efforts

  • Advocacy meetings with provincial and Saskatchewan Health Authority Leadership:

    • November 2023 – SUN met with Health Minister Hindley to discuss safe registered nurse staffing, system challenges and ER overcapacity.

    • July 16, 2024 – SUN met with Premier Moe at the Council of the Federation Meetings, Halifax, NS to discuss safe registered nurse staffing solutions and system challenges.

    • July 17, 2024 – ongoing – Safe Staffing Gets My Vote campaign to make increasing nurse staffing levels a key issue for decision makers.

    • June 19 & August 21, 2024 – SUN met with Andrew Will, SHA CEO to discuss AIMS implementation concerns.

    • Ongoing spring/summer 2024 – multiple meetings with senior SHA leadership (SHA VP) and weekly meetings with SHA Executive Directors and Directors to discuss AIMS failures, registered nurse staffing, hallway nursing, tertiary ER overcapacity, systemwide challenges reported by SUN members.

  • Since July 2024 – In order to protect all member rights SUN has filed a number of grievances related to payroll errors and issues, posting processes and awards and transparency and circulation of data from the SHA.

  • August 28, 2024 – ongoing – SUN member email "hotline" – a new way to share your voice and frontline stories – YourVoice@sun-nurses.sk.ca

  • September 4, 2024 – AIMS Member Information Sessions: helping members navigate the AIMS "disaster"

  • Summer 2024 – ongoing – Sask Nursing Crisis & Caring For the Ones You Love campaigns

 

Upcoming efforts

  • September 10, 2024 – SUN is meeting with Saskatchewan Minister of Health, Honourable Everett Hindley to discuss safe staffing, overcapacity and  AIMS.

  • September 10, 2024 – Tracy Zambory, SUN President, LIVE at 09:00 on the Evan Bray Show to discuss AIMS, short staffing, overcapacity challenges, and ER pressures – The Evan Bray Show | 650 CKOM

  • October 3, 2024 – SUN will host our Rally for Safe Staffing at the 2024 Education Conference

SUN in the media

SUN has been driving public discourse, helping the public understand the pressures front line registered nurses and health teams face daily. In recent weeks, SUN has instigated media coverage and shaped headlines in Saskatchewan on CTV, Global, CBC, and Postmedia. SUN has also garnered national attention about Saskatchewan's healthcare issues on CTV National, for example.  

A quick read summarizing SUN's public advocacy:

What members can do

SUN wants to hear your stories - they are important to us and tell the realities you are dealing with. What you share doesn’t need to be long, just a few sentences that describe your concerns.

  • Share your AIMS concerns directly with SHA leaders:

  • Share your experiences with us by emailing
    YourVoice@sun-nurses.sk.ca

    • All submissions will remain anonymous.

    • Experiences to be shared on SUN social media, media interviews and on our website.

    • SUN member stories and concerns keep a sharp focus on patient safety and system challenges and are a critical for both decision-makers and the public to hear.

Remember, YOUR VOICE drives change.
Here are just a few examples from our social media: