MANITOULIN—While still unclear on how the provincial government base funding announcement of a four percent increase to hospitals will play out, Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) officials are pleased with funding announcements that will help in nursing recruitment efforts as well as an increase in hospital infrastructure renewal funding.
“With the provincial funding announced in the provincial budget toward the continuation of health human resources programs it will definitely help in our recruitment efforts for nurses,” said Paula Fields, president and chief executive officer of the MHC last Thursday. “These programs have been temporary up until now so we have been very nervous as to whether they would continue,” said Ms. Fields. “We are very grateful these programs are now permanent and help in our recruitment efforts, including students who work here to eventually decide to stay and work in our hospitals.”
“The funding is very good news and impacts on our ability to recruit nurses,” said Ms. Fields.
The funding was confirmed by Dr. Karima Velji, assistant deputy minister, office of the chief of nursing and professional practice of the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a letter to Ontario hospitals on March 28. “The Enhanced Extern Program (EEP) has been made a permanent program. Funding will continue to be available to all publicly funded hospitals through Ontario Health. The EEP offers employment opportunities for qualifying nursing, medical, respiratory therapy, paramedic, physiotherapy, occupational therapy students and internationally educated nurses to work in an unregulated capacity on paid assignments.”
Funding for the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP) program will also continue to be provided to all hospitals that are participating in the SPEP program who have been approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), wrote Dr. Velji.
Funding will also continue for the Clinical Scholar Program (CSP) to all publicly funded hospitals through Ontario Health. Hospitals will continue to be allocated with their original full-time equivalent positions provided in 2023/2024. The CSP supports both recruitment and retention by creating mentorship opportunities. Through this program, experienced frontline nurses provide at-the-bedside mentorship and support to new graduate, internationally educated, or upskilling nurses to confidently transition into new health care working environments and nursing practice.
Funding will also continue to be made available through the Community Commitment Program for Nurses (CCPN) for all publicly funded hospitals, home and community care agencies, long-term care homes, primary care service providers and mental health service providers in a high-need area of Ontario, explained Dr. Velji. CCPN provides an incentive of $25,000 for nurses in exchange for a two-year commitment to work in a high-need area of Ontario. Program funding for existing CCPN participants as well as for applicants for new CCPN funded nursing positions.
Under the Temporary Reimbursement of Fees for Internationally Educated and Inactive Nurses Program, Ontario is supporting the program by removing financial barriers to obtaining their licenses to practice nursing. Ontario Health administers the program.
“Ontario is investing to bolster and stabilize the emergency department (ED) nursing workforce, through education in ED training initiatives such as ED virtual training modules and hands-on immersive training programs through the Emergency Department Nursing Education Retention Workforce Strategy.
Ms. Fields shared good news concerning the Hospital Infrastructure Renewal Fund. The province is increasing this funding substantially. “We have two fairly older (hospital) buildings, so we count on funding through this program (for infrastructure projects.”
As for the base budget funding investment announced by the province, “I was on a call with the Ontario Health Association (OHA) today, and we will not know until the end of May what the increase means. For instance, does it include inflation cost increases?” Ms. Fields queried. “Considering the increase in salary increase pressures with Bill 124, we are hoping that this will be looked at separately by the province in terms of funding (separate from the base funding increase). The OHA is in negotiations with the ministry.”
