More continuing care assistants (CCAs) are being hired to help better meet the needs of residents in long-term care facilities across Saskatchewan.
The 2021-22 Provincial Budget provides $6 million in funding to hire an additional 108 full time equivalent (FTE) CCA positions: 90 for long-term care facilities and a further 18 to support home care.
To date, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and their long-term care affiliates and contracted operators have hired the equivalent of 85 full-time CCAs. Recruitment efforts are ongoing for five additional FTE positions in the long-term care sector.
The SHA has also hired the equivalent of 10 full-time CCAs to work in home care, and is working toward recruiting an additional eight FTEs. These staff will support home care needs in rural and remote communities across the province. Since April, 95 of 108, or 88 per cent, of the CCA positions committed to in the budget have been filled.
“We are following through on our commitment to add more continuing care assistants in home care and long-term care facilities throughout the province,” Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley said. “This is just one of the many investments our government is making to ensure that we are meeting the health care needs of Saskatchewan’s older adult population.”
The initial $6 million investment will result in additional direct care support in 43 long-term care homes. Additional home care staff will service 22 smaller cities, towns, northern communities and their surrounding rural areas. This marks the first year of a three-year commitment to hire 300 new CCAs across the health system.
“The SHA is pleased to see this initial investment in improving the quality of care for residents, with the provision of additional continuing care aide positions to support direct care needs,” SHA Executive Director of Continuing Care Andre Moss said.
CCAs are important members of the health care team, working in a variety of settings including long-term care, home care and palliative care.