The Prince Albert Parkland Regional Health Authority board of directors heard a report on the progress the region is making on reducing sick time, overtime and work place injuries at its regular board meeting Sept. 8 in Prince Albert.
A report from the human resources department shows the region is meeting all of the targets set by the Ministry of Health as part of the 2010-11 operating budget. From April 1 to June 30, 2010, the region has reduced sick time hours by 9.69 per cent and overtime hours by 27.41 per cent from the same period in 2009. The region has also reduced the Workers' Compensation Board claims for workplace injuries by 12.24 per cent and lost-time days by 74.6 per cent.
"We are very pleased with the efforts of our staff and managers to find solutions to what had become a significant financial challenge for the region," said Cecile Hunt, chief executive officer. "We continue to monitor our progress and expect that we will continue to meet the provincial targets in the coming months."
Through the first quarter of the 2010-11 fiscal year, the region had reduced sick time payments by more than $50,000 and overtime payments by more than $340,000.
In addition to the first quarter results, the region also showed a 7.13 per cent reduction in sick time hours ($5,745) and 15.76 per cent reduction of overtime hours (about $30,000) in July. WCB numbers are collected quarterly, which means July was not available.
The provincial targets set by the Ministry of Health for the 2010-11 fiscal year are: reduction of 11 per cent in overtime; reduction of 10 per cent in WCB time lost claims (injuries); reduction of 10 per cent in WCB time lost days (injuries); reduction of five per cent in sick time.
The total cost reduction target is $1.116 million.
