The registered nursing staff from Local 201, Calder Centre and SUN Provincial have successfully escalated 52 Work Situation Reports (WSRs) and 15 subsequent WSRs.

Since 2023, a pattern of workload, staffing, and professional practice concerns has been documented in WSRs without resolution at the Joint Nursing Advisory Committee, with Unit Leadership, or with the SHA Board of Directors.

An Independent Assessment Committee (IAC) is the last resort within the collective agreement for addressing workload concerns specific to registered nurses and resolving Work Situation Reports.

The IAC Panel of three registered nurse experts confirmed SUN Member professional practice, workload, and staffing concerns when they stated: “While the Calder Centre team is acknowledged as multidisciplinary, the RNs and RPNs are not able to consistently satisfy their professional obligations within the current structure” (IAC, 2026, p. 2).

The IAC Panel identified three significant themes arising from the IAC Tour, Hearing and submissions provided by SUN and the Saskatchewan Health Authority – Calder Centre:

  • Medical Treatment of Addiction and Nursing Role,

  • Lack of a Consistent RN/RPN Practice Framework, and

  • Challenges with Leadership, Communication and Accountability.

 

Binding recommendations have been confirmed between SUN Provincial, SHA Leadership, and Local 201, inclusive of:

  • Staffing:

    • Increase staffing by 1 RN/RPN on each weekend Day shift (i.e. Saturday, Sunday and Statutory Holiday).

    • Nurse Practitioner, two half-day clinics regularly scheduled per week.

  • Internal process for urgent clinical support in the Youth Stabilization Unit.

  • Clarification of the registered nursing roles and accountabilities for shared understanding and communication across the multidisciplinary team.

  • Development of a collaborative process for internal registered nursing reviews and involvement in:

    • Review of client referrals prior to admission.

    • Admissions (i.e, number, timing, initial assessment and nursing plan of care development).

    • Initial and ongoing registered nursing and multidisciplinary team treatment collaboration.

  • Ensure certification requirements for registered nurses are met and tracked (i.e, CPR, first aid).

Local 201, Calder Centre and SHA Unit Leadership will continue to discuss the report's non-binding recommendations for an improved work environment focused on safe, competent, high-quality, and appropriate registered nursing practice and healthcare services.

To learn more about WSRs, the Nursing Advisory Process, and the Joint Nursing Advisory Committee, you can review the SUN website's WSR/NAC Learning Modules & Resources and NAC Leadership.