Dispatches October 1990

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HEAL TH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF SASKATCHEWAN NEWSLETTER

October 1990

1990 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE }

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All H.S.A.S. Members

WHAT:

Annual General Meeting

WHERE:

Saskatoon Room in the Saskatoon Inn at 2002 Airport Drive, Saskatoon

WHEN:

Saturday, October 20, 1990 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (complimentary wine/beerand horsd'oeuvresto follow)

WHY:

{1) Hear our guest speaker, Walter Podiluk, speak on: (a) Dr. Murray's Report entitled "Future Directions for Health Care in Saskatchewan" and (b) Dr. Atkinson 's Report entitled "Future Directions for Saskatoon's Hospitals" (2) Find out what your Association has been involved with over the past year.

(3) Meet and socialize with fellow H.S.A.S. Members .

(4) Be a part of the supreme decision making body of H.S.A.S. (5) Be eligible to win one of two cash prizes of One Hundred ($100.00) dollars each.

BRING THIS COPY OF DISPATCHES WITH YOU TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING .

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AGENDA 1:00 - 1:20

Registration

1:20 • 1:30

Introduction and welcome by President Ekberg

1:30 - 3:00

Guest Speaker - Walter Podiluk Topic: Dr. Murray's Report entitled "Future Directions for Health Care in Saskatchewan" and Dr. Atkinson's Report entitled "Future Directions for Saskatoon's Hospitals" .

3:30 - 5:30

Business Meeting (see Agenda below)

5:30 - 6:30

Social with complementary wine/beer and hors d'oeuvres

7:30

Annual President's Dinner for all Executive Council Members (current, incoming and outgoing) and Board of Governors

BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA 1.

2.

3.

4.

Adoption of Agenda Adoption of the October 21, 1989 Annual General Meeting Minutes President's Annual Report Auditor's Report (copies available from; Executive Council Members, District Council Chairpersons/Co-Chairpersons or the H.S.A.S. office from October 16, 1990 / onwards) t: ',n Executive Director's Annual Report 1L£- IC{-. L{ l V-.,

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Election of Executive Council members to represent; Dietitians, Laboratory Technologists, Psychologists, and Social Workers

Professional Group Incumbent Dietitians Holly Hudson Royal University Hospital Janice Peterson Laboratory Royal University Technologists Hospital Psychologists Nahid Ahmad Royal University Hospital Carol Cohen Social Workers SaskatoonCity Hospital 7.

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Nominations Holly Hudson Royal University Hospital Karen Giesbrecht Royal University Hospital Nahid Ahmad Royal University Hospital Carol Cohen SaskatoonCity Hospital

Old Business Proposal to establish an Education Fund for H.S.A.S. members New Business Members' Resolutions Adjournment Lottery to select winners of two cash prizes of $100.00 each (only those who are H.S.A.S. Members and present at the draw will be eligible)

ATTENTION H.S.A.S. MEMBERS IN REGINA AND PRINCE ALBERT The Association will provide transportation to and from the Annual General Meeting . If you are interested in this offer, please contact: Roberta Ekberg, Regina home 781-2367 Bonnie Reed, Prince Albert home 784-1338

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PAGE2 Our Guest Speaker Our guest speaker will be Walter Podiluk who has served Saskatchewan in the following capacities : 1967 - 1982 Director of Education for the Saskatoon Catholic Board of Education Deputy Minister of Social Services 1982 路 1984 Deputy Minister of Health 1984 - 1988 Deputy Chairman and Executive Director 1988 路 1990 of the Saskatchewan Commission on Directions In Health Care Chairman of the Medical Laboratory CurrentlyLicensing Board Consultant to Centre of Agricultural Medicine

Background on Guest Speakers Topic What follows are some highlites relevant to H .S .A.S. members from both Dr . Murray's and Dr. Atkinson's Reports.

Dr. Murray's Report entitled "Future Directions for Health Care in Saskatchewan."

I. Introduction :

Appointed by the Premier of the province on July 1, 1988 the Commission requested input from interested parties . As a result it held 41 days of hearings and received more than 450 briefs, including one from our Association. The result is a 300 page report with 262 recommendations which if implemented would restructure Saskatchewan's Health Care system . Some of the major recommendations are as follows : A) Division Councils Establi shment of 15 Health Services Divisions to manage the total system and deliver the complete package of services, including community - based , home care, mental health care, and acute and long - term institutional care .

The division councils would employ all senior management, institutional management, professional, supervisory, and health care del ivery staff and become the owners of all public l y - owned health care facilities within their boundaries.

8 ) Emphases ' on Community and Supportive Living Services - A community health services unit should be established in each divis ion to focus on promoting health and fostering independent living. This unit would plan and direct the variou s programs which require specially trained health professionals, and to coordinate Community services with Hospita l s supportive care centres on behalf of the consumer. The professional team should include people trained to deliver nursing, rehabilitation, inspection, health promotion and education , mental health , counselling and home support services .

- Establishment in each division of Therapy services units staffed by Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists , Speech Language Pathologists and support personnel whi ch would provide services on an outreach basis in Community Hospitals, Supportive Care Centres, Family Health Care Centres and Private homes .

- Increase the emphasis on home care - A seriou s problem exist s in our ability to recruit

Psychiatrists and Psychologists . Saskatchewan has seen virtually no advances in mental health for many years and services to the mentally ill have declined.

- Create a Saskatchewan Mental Health Commission for the purpose of recommending initiatives in mental health; monitoring services , establishing standards, sensitizing the public and decision makers regarding mental health issues and serving as an advocate for both mental health clients and service providers.

C) New Thursts For Institutions - Saskatchewan has the smallest percentage of accredited Hospitals in Canada yet has the second highest number of Hospitals.

- There should be three classification of Hospitals (i) Base - provide specia lized expertise and services at the tertiary and quarternary levels for the province as a whole (ii) Community A - Hospitals with an average acute care daily census of between 20 and 40 will prov ide basic radiology and laboratory test ing, limited medical and surgical services and primary Emergency care .

Community B - Hospitals w ith an average acute care daily census of between 10 and 19.

Provide same services as Community A Hospitals but with greater limits on obstetrical and surgical services .

Community Hospitals would offer a limited range of basic Hospital services.

- The smallest Hospitals with an average acute care daily census of fess than 10, should be turned into Family Health Care Centres . These Centres would be headed by a nurse and would provide the following care services; (i) Basic nursing (ii) Visit ing health professionals ex.- Psychologists, Physical Therapists, Dietitians, Occupational Therap ists and Speech Language Pathol ogists (iii) Health education and fitness D) New Approaches For The Health Professions - The original medicare system in Saskatchewan could not anticipate the style of practice that would develop. It does not encourage health promot ion or quality of life through services by associated health professionals.

- The Commission concluded th is province compares favorably with the rest of Canada in the supply and distribution of independent health professionals such as Optometrists, Pharmacists, Ch iropractors and Dentists.

- The province is exper iencing a shortage of Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists and Dietit ians / Nutriti o nists. To attract and retain such professionals, a relatively small province like Saskatchewan must develop creative and aggressive strategies that will enable it to hold its own in the competition.

- App ropriate targets for ratios of such profess ionals to the population served might be: (i) One Dietitian/Nutritionist per 5500 population (ii) One Physical Therapist per 4,000 population (iii) One Occupational Therapist per 10,000 population

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(iv) One Speech Language Pathologist per 20,000 population The University of Saskatchewan should create a new

PAGE 3 School of Rehabilitation Sciences which includes the present School of Physical Therapy and a new program of Occupational Therapy.

- The Department of Health, in co-operation with the De· partment of Education, must establish a one-year rehabilitation therapy program to train Certified Therapy Assistants who would work as members of the division therapy team under the direction of Physical and Occupational Therapists.

- Establishment of a Health Sciences School for Continuing Education which would actively involve each health science faculty at the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology in developing a sophisticated, comprehensive and co-ordinated long distance education program providing in-service credit courses.

E) Provincial Programs In a New System - A Laboratory Services Review Board should be established by the Minister of Health to license medical laboratories - set, monitor and control standards; provide consultation and advice to laboratories, and co-ordinate services.

- The Department of Health must develop a provincial system of laboratory services which defines the scope of services to be provided in various settings and levels throughout the province and which reflects the health services division structure.

- All laboratories must provide the Laboratory Services Review Board with Physician profiles as to lab ordering patterns and utilization of such services.

- Methods should be established to require most services provided by private laboratories to become the responsibility of hospital based laboratories and no new private laboratories should be licensed until a final plan is adopted.

- Not enough priority is given to continuing education for health professionals, despite the belief that distance education programs can greatly improve professional competence, productivity and satisfaction.

F) Better Health For Northern Residents - Northern Saskatchewan should be divided into three distinct Health Services Divisions.

- Family health Care Centres established in each division should be visited by teams of General Practitioners, Obste· tricians, Physical and Occupational Therapists, Nutritionists, Psychologists, Mental Health Nurses, Audiologists, Speech Language Pathologists and Chiropodists.

- The following allocation of staff for provincially funded programs in the North would appear appropriate: Public and Primary Care Nurses • 40 Mental Health Workers - 8 Community Health Workers/Assistants· 30 Public Health Inspectors • 3 Physical and Occupational Therapists · 6 Speech Language Pathologists • 3 Nutritionists · 3 - In order to recruit and retain health care professionals in Northern Communities special compensation packages should be developed. For example, increased salary levels, bonus upon completion of each year of service, signing bonus with return in service committment, minimum amount of paid educational leave and regular professional conferences etc.

II. Conclusion: To date the government has not indicated whether they are

prepared to implement Dr. Murray's recommendations.

Dr. Atkinson's Report entitled "Future Directions For Saskatoon's Hospitals" Introduction: A year ago Health Minister Mcleod wanted to establish centres of excellence and concentrate specialties at specific hospitals to best use limited resources and expertise.

Working groups established to look at his recommendations begged down and failed to reach a consensus.

The Murray Commission, disbanded with the release of the panel's report was asked to step in last March and it chose a panel of out-of-province experts for an objective review.

The three (3) members appointed were: - Dr. Atkinson of Ottawa, President of John Atkinson Health Care Professionals, Associate Professor of Anesthesia University of Ottawa, advisor to the Canadian Medical Association Committee on Hospitals and Chairman of the Ontario Medical Association Committee on Hospitals.

- Ralph Coombs of Calgary , President of Foothills Provincial General Hospital since 1973.

- John Mackay of Vancouver, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the merged University Hospital, director of the British Columbia Health Association.

II Mandate: The study panel was asked to: - Review in depth present policies and practices for managing and delivering Hospital services in Saskatoon, and identify opportunities to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency.

- Develop options for professional resources, treat· ment rationalization, auxiliary services and management co-ordination to reflect future demands and developments.

- Recommend to the Commission changes in the Hospitals' mandates to produce more specialization of services, with specific recommendations for their future complementary operation.

Note

Although H.S.A.S. members would be affected if Dr. Atkinson's recommendations were implemented, H.S.A.S. was never invited to submit a brief or participate in the study panel's work. A letter was written to Dr. Atkinson expressing our disappointment in not being asked to participate; however, no response has been received to date.

Ill Major Recommendations: The model consolidates services and creates a distribution of specialties. Each Hospital has the following categories of programs: • One-of-a-kind programs for which one hospital has exclusive responsibility for providing services.

• Major programs for which one hospital will have lead responsibility and other hospitals have basic programs.

• Basic programs in which the service can be available to a greater or lesser extent in all three hospitals.

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The Master Plan:

Royal University Hospital

Royal University Hospital will be the major specialized tertiary and quaternary care centre. One-of-a-kind programs will be the Cardiac Care Centre, the Trauma Care Centre, the Burn Centre . The Cardiac Care Centre will provide state-of-the-art care for cardiac catheterization, rehabilitation and surgery . The Trauma Care Centre will provide comprehensive care for the multisystem victim and all the tertiary care services necessary to support life. The Burn Centre, already well-recognized, will continue its vital services to Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.

Since RUH is now the major centre for diagnostic imagery, nuclear magnetic resonance should be located there if it is approved for Saskatchewan. It could provide a "star" diagnostic program.

RUH is also the primary hospital for medicine, surgery and psychiatry. It will play a major role in development of a comprehensive mental heath program for the three hospitals and the community. As the location of the Department of Psychiatry, it will oversee and ensure development and implementation of a thoughtful and complete program that will have special units at SCH for pediatrics and adolescents and at SPH for geriatrics and adults . At RUH , the psychiatric program will enhance existing adult programs and concentrate on the community services necessary to support mental heath services.

The College of Medicine will locate at RUH academic and research programs for medicine, family practice, surgery, dental, anesthesia, diagnostic imaging, pathology and laboratory, and psychiatry.

The Model:

Royal University Hospital

One of a kind programs CARDIAC CARE CENTRE Cardiac catheterization laboratory Cardiac rehabilitation Cardiovascular surgery TRAUMA CARE CENTRE Comprehensive emergency unit to manage the full spectrum of adult emergency care BURN CENTRE NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE Major Programs MEDICINE Immunology Cardiology Gastroenterology Hematology Dermatology Neurology Oncology Endocrinology Respirology Infectious Diseases SURGERY Oral Surgery Plastic General Urology Neurosurgery PSYCHIATRY Adult psychiatric trauma unit Emergency/ regional Adult psychiatric ambulatory care referral/ assessment unit Forensic medicine DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING PATHOLOGY NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Basic Programs MEDICINE Nephrology Rheumatology SURGERY Peripheral vascular Thoracic Orthopedics Otolaryngology GYNECOLOGY Oncology PHYSICAL REHABILITATION GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT

Centre for College of Medicine Programs Medicine Family Practice Surgery Anesthesia Diagnostic imaging Pathology Psychiatry

The Master Plan: Saskatoon City Hospital Saskatoon City Hospital will specialize in women's and children's Health care and the care of the eye. It will also be the major centre for otolaryngology and gynecologly. The College of Medicine will have three major programs at SCH: Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pediatrics and Ophthalmology. The Hospital will bring the teaching and research environment essential to provide the unique programs required.

The Model: Saskatoon City Hospital One of a kind Programs OBSTETRICS CENTRE Complete range of ambulatory and inpatient prenatal and postnatal care for low-risk and high-risk deliveries. Services include neonatal intensive and intermediate care.

REPRODUCTION AND INFERTILITY CENTRE Endocrinology Research PEDIATRICS CENTRE Complete range of medical, surgical and psychiatric services and programs for children PEDIATRICS MEDICINE Dermatology Cardiology Nephrology Gastroenterology Respirology Neurology Hematology Rheumatology Oncology Immunology Infectious Diseases • Duplication of cardiac catheterization facilities for pediatrics patients would have to be considered in light of economic realities.

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PEDIATRICS SURGERY Neurosurgery General Plastics Oral surgery Thoracic Orthopedics Urology PEDIATRICS PSYCHIATRY Child/adolescent Child Psychology Community Assessment Treatment Unit Youth Services EMERGENCY ROOM Dedicated to pediatrics care OPHTHALMOLOGY Complete ambulatory and inpatient service for adults and pediatrics, including cornea transplants Major Prog rams GYNECOLOGY Complete range of ambulatory and inpatient services for female reproductive care OTOLARYNGOLOGY Complete range of ambulatory and inpatient services, adults and pediatrics Basic Programs PATHOLOGY NUCLEAR MEDICINE DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING • Duplication of Nuclear Medicine facilites would have to be considered in light of economic realities.

Centre for College of Medicine Programs Obsterics/Gynecology Pediatrics Ophthalmology

The Master Plan: St. Paul's Hospital St. Paul's Hospital will be the adult primary and secondary care centre, excluding Obstetrics and Pediatrics. It will be the Centre for Nephrology with kidney transplantation and dialysis, and the centre for a dialysis team which will service the other two Hospitals. Since SPH is now the major centre for Nephrology, Lithotripsy should be located there if it is approved for Saskatchewan . It could provide a "star" treatment program.

SPH will be the Centre for Rehabilitation Programs for both Geriatrics and Physical Rehabilitation. It has the opportunity to co-ordinate and provide the multifaceted, multidisciplinary program necessary to bring state-of-the-art rehabilitative care to Saskatoon as it has done with the Palliative Care Unit.

It will also be the major Hospital for Rheumatology, 'Peripheral Vascular surgery, Orthopedic and Thoracic surgery, Ge riatric assessment and Psychiatries for the geriatric population.

The College of Medicine will locate at SPH its centre of academic and research programs for Rehabilitation Medicine, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Geriatric Medicine.

The Model: St . Paul's Hospital One-of -a-kind Programs SURGERY Kidney transplant with Immunology Centre Lithotripsy Centre

MEDICINE Acute and chronic kidney dialysis centre Centre for dialysis team to service other Hospitals GERIATRIC AND REHABILITATIONCENTRE A complete range of diagnostic and treatment inpatient and ambulatory services PALLIATIVE CARE CENTRE PHYSICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE Reconstructive surgery General Degenerative muscular and joint disease Major Programs MEDICINE Nephrology Rheumatology SURGERY Peripheral Vascular Orthopedics, reconstructive and joint Thoracic-major service for oncology and emergency care GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT UNIT PSYCHIATRY Psychogeriatrics Basic Programs MEDICINE (ADULT) Cardiology Endocrinology Neurology Hematology Oncology

Dermatology Gastroenterology Respirology Immunology Infectious diseases

SURGERY (ADULT) General Oral sugery Urology Dental Otolaryngology Plastics Neurosurgery (stabilize and transfer to RUH) GYNECOLOGY PSYCHIATRY Adult Psychiatry Ambulatoly care services Adult day care EMERGENCY ROOM Adult emergency Basic Programs PATHOLOGY NUCLEAR MEDICINE DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING • Duplication of Nuclear Medicine facilities would have to be considered in light of economic realities.

Centre for College of Medicine Programs Rehabilitation medicine Geriatrics medicine School of Physical Therapy IV Conclus ion St. Paul's Hospital rejected the proposal for a Maternal and Child Health Centre at Saskatoon City Hospital and reaffirmed their position of not being prepared to give up their role in obstetrics and birthing.

To date, the recommendations of the Atkinson Report have not been implemented.

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MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF SASKATCHEWAN HELD ON OCTOBER 21, 1989 Call to Order: The Annual General Meeting of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan was held in the Kindersley Room of the Holiday Inn in Saskatoon at 1:00 p.m. Saturday October 21, 1989.

The meeting was called to order by President Roberta Ekberg at 1:00 p.m. She welcomed everyone and introduced Executive Council Members, Hospital Representatives, Board of Governors and the Executive Director.

Guest Speaker: T. Slattery introduced the guest speaker, Maureen Whelan, Assistant Executive Director of H.S.A.B.C ., who spoke on the topic Professionalism vs Unionism. At the conclusion of her talk, she answered questions from the floor.

Adoption of the Agenda Following the speaker a brief coffee break was taken and Roberta Ekberg, serving as Chairperson, called the Business Meeting to Order at 3:30 p.m. and called for adoption of the Agenda.

Moved by: Freda Toffolo-Frost Seconded by: Carol Cohen Motion Carried Adoption of the October 22, 1988 Annual General Meeting "dinutes The Chairperson called for adoption of the October 22, 1988 A.G.M minutes.

Nahid Ahmad Moved by: Barbara Fergusson Seconded by: Motion Carried

Various Reports The following reports were adopted as presented. (a) President's Annual Report (b) Executive Director's Annual Report (c) Committee Reports (i) Communication (ii) Grievance (iii) Education

Financial Report Ed Dewhurst, Secretary!Treasurer, presented the audited H.S.A.S. Financial Statements and moved their adoption.

Seconded by: Terry Akister Motion Carried Ed Dewhurst presented the audited Scholarship Foundation Inc. Financial Statements and moved their adoption.

Seconded by: Freda Toffolo-Frost Motion Carried

Ed Dewhurst reported that at their September 21, 1989 meeting Executive Council decided that the auditor for the next fiscal year be appointed at the A.G.M. As a result Ed moved that H.S.A.S. appoint Glen Dean as the auditor for the period October 1, 1989 to September 30, 1990.

Seconded by: Terry Akister Motion Carried

Election of Executive Council Members Ed Dewhurst reported that one nomination per vacant position had been received; therefore, the following are elected by acclamation: Michelle Ross, UniversityHospital OccupationalTherapy Roberta Ekberg, Pasqua Hospital PharmacyTed Makeechak,St. Paul's Hospital PhysicalTherapyRadiology &.

Ed Dewhurst, University Hospital Nuclear Medicine CarolCohen,SaskatoonCity Hospital Social WorkSpeech Language LesleyChoplan, UniversityHospital Pathology Ed concluded by stating that each of the above members are elected for a two year term except the member for Social Work who will serve only one year due to a resignation in mid term.

Old Business A) Amalgamation of Professional and Technical Agreements Roberta Ekberg explained that at the 1988 A.G.M. Executive Council was directed to examine the possibility of amalgamating the two collective agreements.

Roberta reported that Executive Council has decided to maintain the practice of two collective agreements. She stated that both the Labour Relations Board and legal counsel suggested there would be no negative consequences resulting from amalgamation. However, she stated that the two agreement system provides us with more flexibility such as adding items to one contract and not the other.

Ron Currie stated that the idea of one contract is good but Executive council acts on the basis that we are one anyway so he also suggested we maintain the status quo.

B)

Reduction of Initiation Fees

Roberta Ekberg explained that at the 1988 A.G.M. Eecutive Council was directed to investigate the possibility of reducing the initiation fee. Roberta reported that Executive Council recommends the initiation fee be maintained at $25.00.

C)

Establishment of an Emergency Fund

Tim Slattery explained that at the 1988 A.G.M. Executive Counc il was directed to establish an Emergency Fund Committee which would investigate the possibility of establishing an Emergency Fund for H.S.A.S. members. As a result of this directive a Committee made up of Nahid Ahmad, Cindy Hayto and himself was formed.

On behalf of this Committee , Tim presented a draft application form along with draft policy and application guidelines. He concluded by stating that the Committee recommends a maximum sum of $3,000 .00 per annum be available for members and that it be funded from initiation fees.

Ed Dewhurst suggested that the Emergency Fund be funded from General Revenue rather than from initiation fees and he made the following motion : that the Emergency Fund be

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established as proposed by the Committee and that it contain a maximum of $3,000.00 per fiscal year and be funded from general revenue.

Seconded by: Nahid Ahmad Motion Carried D} Executive Council Representative for Rehabilitation Outreach Services At University Hospital Roberta Ekberg explained that at the 1988 A .G. M. Rehabilitation Outreach Services asked for their own representative on Executive Council.

Roberta Ekberg reported that Executive Council decided that since each occupational group working in Rehabilitation Outreach has representation on council they are adequately served under the present system.

New Business A} Feasibility of H.S.A.S. adopting a charity each year Roberta Ekberg explained that H.S.A.S. receives several requests each year from charitable organizations for donations and Executive Council decided to have the A.G.M. decide whether we would adopt a charity from year to year.

There was genera l agreement that regardless of which charity is chosen some members will disagree with the choice. As a result, it was decided that H.S.A.S . would not adopt a charity.

B} Proposal by Executive Council to provide a $10.00 per meeting honorarium for Executive Council.

Ed Dewhurst explained that at their April 11, 1989 meeting Executive Council decided to place this proposal before the A.G.M. for approval. He stated that the amount budgeted for this proposal was $3,000.00 per year.

Jenny Okroj stated that the honorarium may help in attracting more members to serve on Council.

Harriette Kaplan moved that Executive Council Members receive $10.00 per meeting attended.

Seconded by: Freda Toffolo-Frost Terry Akister moved that Harriette's motion be amended as follows: That elected Executive Council Members, Hospital Representatives and Board of Governors receive $10 .00 per Executive Council meeting attended.

Seconded by: Nahid Ahmad Original motion as amended carried

Proposed Amendment to the H.S.A.S. Constitution and Addition to the Bylaws Because there were only 19 members present, Terry Akister moved that the amendment and addition be tabled until they can be discussed and voted on at meetings held in each Hospital.

Seconded by: Deanna Harbidge Motion Carried

Members Resolutions A. Keith Davidson suggested that H.S.A.S. investigate the S.H.A. pension plan to ensure that members are adequately covered. Roberta Ekberg explained that H.S.A.S. has agreed to work with other Health Care Unions in examining all benefit plans.

8. Harriette Kaplan suggested H.S.A.S. bring in a speaker from the S.H.A. to talk to members about the Pension Plan.

C. Cindy Hayto moved that Executive Council be directed to investigate the establishment of an Education Fund for

H.S.A.S. members.

Seconded by: Motion Carried

Freda Toffolo-Frost

Adjournment There being no further business, Terry Akister moved adjournment.

Seconded by: Barbara Fergusson Motion Carried Minutes by Tim Slattery

PROPOSALTO ESTABLISHAN EDUCATIONAL FUNDFORH.S.A.S.MEMBERS Background At last year's Annual General Meeting a motion by Cindy Hayto, a Physical Therapist at Saskatoon City Hospital, to have Executive Council investigate the establishment of a Education Fund for H.S.A.S. members was approved. As a result , Executive Council appointed a Committee made up of Nahid Ahmad, Terry Akister and Tim Slattery, who presented a draft proposal to the September 27, 1990 meeting of Executive Council.

Executive Council now requests those attending the Annual General Meeting to decide whether or not to implement the following proposal.

Proposal Education Fund Application Guidelines 1. It is the position of H.S.A.S. that the responsibility for assuming costs associated with continuing job related education lays with the employer. As a result, this Fund shall not bo viewed as a primary funding source.

2. Only members of H.S.A.S. are eligible to apply. In order to qualify for assistance you must be an H.S.A.S. member of at least one day's standing as of the day the course commences.

3. The Educational event must be directly related to your present position. At the discretion of the Education Fund Committee, a member may be requested to write a letter explaining in more detail how the event being applied for relates to her/his current position.

4. A lottery system will be used to select successful applicants.

Names will be drawn from all eligible applicants in the following manner, Five (5) names in October and Five (5) names in May of each year.

To be eligible - completed application forms along with a fee schedule and an outline of the event which explains its content must be in the H S.A.S. office on or before October 1st. and May 15th of each year.

5. Members will be allowed to submit only one (1) application on each date (October 1st. and May 15th.) No confirmat ion of receipt of applications will be sent.

6. Successful applicants will be notified within one (1) week of the application deadlines and their names will be printed in the next edition of Dispatches. Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted. A new application must be submitted for each lottery.

Each applicant is only allowed to receive one award per fiscal year (October 1st. to September 30th. } 7. Successful applicants are eligible for a maximum of $500.00 which will be paid by cheque upon presentation of expense receipts . Only expenses incurred for the following will be considered for reimbursement; tuition/registration fee , meals, accommodation, transportation, child care and text books. Funds may be awarded in advance of event at the discretion of the

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Education Fund Committee.

ON GOING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 8. For events longer than two (2) weeks in duration, proof of course completion must also be submitted before funds will be released. A photocopy of a transcript, diploma or other proof of completion will be accepted.

9. The responsibility for conducting the lottery and resolving any disputes in regard to eligibility or interpretation of these guidelines rests exclusively with the Education Fund committee whose decision is final and binding . The Education Fund Committee consists of the Executive Director and two Executive Council Members.

10. These guidelines may added to, changed or amended at any time upon authorization of Executive Council.

11. Application forms can be obtained from Executive Council members, District Council Chairpersons or the H.S.A.S. office.

Duties & Responsibilities .of the Education Fund Committee - Responsible for the operation and administration of the Education Fund.

- When a question arises as to whether an event is directly related to a member's present position, the committee is responsible for requesting written clarification from the member.

- Responsible for determining which applicants are eligible for each draw.

- Responsible for performing the draw and informing the successful applicants in writing.

- Responsible for ensuring successful applicants are mailed cheques as soon as possible after presentation of receipts.

- Responsible for ensuring that the names of successful applicants are printed in the Dispatches.

- Has discretion to award moneys in advance of the event in cases of financial hardship provided receipts are forwarded to the Committee immediately following the event.

- Executive Council is responsible for implementing any changes to the operation and administration of the Fund.

-Responsible for recommending to Executive Council needed changes to the operation and administration of the Fund.

End of Annual General Meeting

In the last edition of Dispatches (August 1990) we detailed some of our initiatives in the collective bargaining arena. We also printed the S.H.A.'s response to those initiatives which was a letter to Tim Slattery dated June 11, 1990.

Since then the following has transpired: - T. Slattery responded to the S.H.A. by letter dated July 31, 1990.

- As a result of T. Slattery's letter, a meeting was held on September 18, 1990 in the S .H.A. offices between representatives from H.S.A.S., Roberta Ekberg, Ted Makeechak and Tim Slattery, the S.H.A. and Personnel Directors from; Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon City Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital, Pasqua/Plains Hospitals and the Regina General Hospital.

- The S.H.A . responded to this meeting by letter dated September 26, 1990.

For your information we have reproduced the correspondence between H.S.A.S. and the S.H.A. The issue over statutory holiday pay revolves around proper payment for Canada Day, Remembrance Day, New Year's Day and Christmas Day, when they fall on a Sunday. It is our position that because of Labour Standards Legislation the holiday, in those four instances, becomes Monday. Therefore full time and part time employees who normally work the Monday and have it off should receive a normal day's pay for the day.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR June 11, 1990 Mr. Tim Slattery Executive Director, Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, 1231 - 8th Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

S7H OSS Dear Mr. Slattery: I am responding to your letter to Mr. Helmsing dated May 17, 1990 concerning the requirement by the Canadian Dietetic Association (C.D.S.) that Intern Coordinators possess a Masters degree and your suggestion that additional remuneration be paid.

It is also noted that you wrote us on March 7, 1990 concerning salaries for Physiotherapists and with reference to Victoria Union Hospital in Prince Albert.

We have also received a copy of a letter addressed to Mr. Glen Hilton of University Hospital, Saskatoon concerning salaries for Psychologists (M.A. level). You did not copy SHA with this request.

In addition we have been advised you are discussing a proposed rate of pay for unlicensed Physical Therapists at Victoria Union Hospital, Prince Albert without any reference to SHA.

Gf "Want me lo get you a shopping cart?"

Might I first suggest that if the two parties are to continue with the philosophy of provincial bargaining rather than the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan having t.o negotiate in each hospital where they hold certification on an individual basis, it behooves the Health Sciences Association to operate in a fash路 ion which is supportive of this concept. The example we have quoted seems to indicate that the Health Sciences Association is not acting in all respects in a uniform fashion.

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With respect to the actual substances of your communications, you must recognize the sanctity of the collective agreement once it is consummated. I am sure you will agree that SHA would lose credibility with you if it should request a re-opening of the agreement to negotiate a reduction of salaries, particularly on a classification basis. The collective agreement would really have no life expectancy and both SHA and the Health Sciences Association would be in continual bargaining which I am sure you find just as undesirable as we do.

:.

In conclusion may I state that SHA has no intention of opening the collective agreement for any classification until the re-opening period specified in the agreement.

Yours very truly,

-

Arliss Wright, Vice-President, Programs c.c. K. Clarke, St. Paul's Hospital; T . Dagnone, University Hospital; D. Fan, Victoria Union Hospital; H. Fox, South Saskatchewan Hospital Centre; R. Gill, Regina General Hospital; E. Schwartz, Saskatoon City Hospital; A. Ellis, Personnel Policy Secretariat, Saskatchewan Finance.

July 31, 1990 Arliss Wright, Vice-President, Programs Saskatchewan Health - Care Association 1445 Park Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4N 4C5 Dear Mr. Wright: Saskatchewan is currently experiencing a shortage of Health Care Professionals. This fact was recently confirmed by the Provincial Department of Health when it released the results of its 1989 Health Employer Survey.

On a daily basis our members experience the negative impact . staff shortages have on their work environment and patient care.

Because of their commitment to quality health care, our members feel a duty to assist in finding solutions to the problem. To this end the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan has put forward suggestions to both the Hospitals and the Saskatchewan Health Care Association (S.H.A.) that addresses the problem of attracting and keeping Health Care Professionals in the province.

However, rather than give serious consideration to our proposals and negotiate with us to remedy the situation, the S.H.A. refuses to do anything. Instead, you respond to our initiatives by letter dated June 12, 1990 wherein you: (a) lecture H.S.A.S. for not acting in a uniform fashion (b) make reference to the sanctity of the Collective Agreement (c) conclude by stating the S.H.A. has no intention of opening the contract for any classification until the re-opening period specified in the agreement.

May I remind you that the definition of collective bargaining contained within the Trade Union Act (section 2(b)) places a statutory obligation on both parties to negotiate during the life of the Collective Agreement. More importantly: however, both parties have a moral obligation to ensure that negotiations take place whenever the quality of patient care is at risk.

The problem of personnel shortages requires immediate attention and should not be put on the back burner until the next round of negotiations. In refusing to deal with this issue im-

mediately, you call into question the credibility of the S.H.A. as an advocate of quality health care.

I suggest a meeting be held as soon as possible with representatives from the Hospitals, the S.H.A. and ourselves for the purpose of negotiating solutions to a problem that affects us all.

Yours truly, Tim Slattery Executive Director cc K. Clarke, President St. Paul's Hospital; T. Dagnone, President Royal University Hospital; 0. Fan, Executive Director Victoria Union Hospital; H. Fox, Executive Director South Saskatchewan Hospital Centre; A. Gill, Executive Director Regina General Hospital; E. Schwartz, President and Chief Executive Officer Saskatoon City Hospital; Honorable G. Mcleod , Minister of Health; Louise Simard, Opposition Health Care Critic

September 26, 1990 Mr. Tim Slattery, Executive Director, Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, 1231 - 8th Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

S?H OS5 Dear Mr. Slattery: This letter is in response to the concerns outlined in your previous correspondence as well as at our meeting of Tuesday, September 18, 1990.

As I understand the situation, the areas about which your Association expressed concern with and suggested that negotiations should address as soon as possible are: (1) the educational requirement for Dietary Intern Coordinators has changed from a Bachelor's Degree to a Master's Degree by the Canadian Dietetic Association (CDA), therefore additional compensation is required for this added educational requirement even though the duties and responsibilities have not changed; (2) that the salary level for the psychologists (MA level) at the Royal University Hospital was undervalued by HSAS during negotiations and should be increased to reflect this reevaluation; (3) a new classification and pay range be established for unlicensed and relicensing Physical Therapists; (4) the mileage allowance be adjusted to compensate for the increase in gasoline prices; and (5) that you are of the opinion that the statutory holiday pay should have been paid for July 2, 1990 and not July 1, 1990, according to federal legislation.

Our committee examined your concerns and comments and has reached the following conclusions.

(1) The issue of Dietary Intern Coordinators is really a non-issue as there is no supporting evidence that the education requirements have been changed by the CDA and in addition the duties and responsibilities have not changed.

(2) The Psychologists (MA level) will be reviewed during the next round of negotiations. Please forward to my attention any supporting data you presently have in this regard.

(3) We are prepared to meet and discuss further with you the possibility of establishing a new classification and pay range for unlicensed and relicensing Physical Therapists. Please forward your proposal to my attention.

(4) The mileage allowance will be reviewed during the next round of negotiations.

PAGE 10

(5) Ken Crosby, of SHA, has investigated the statutory holiday pay issue for July 1, 1990 and will be communicating with you.

It is our desire that the lines of communication between HSAS and SHA as well as the individual hospitals are kept open in order to resolve concerns as they arise.

H.S.A.S. GRIEVANCES Hospital

Nature of Grievance

Royal University

posting a new classification with outstanding hourly rates of pay not negotiated with the Association in contravention of Article 16.01 of the Collective Agreement.

Royal University

improper classification of a Laboratory Technologist.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me. I suggest that we meet as soon as possible with regards to the unlicensed and relicensing Physical Therapists situation.

Yours truly , Arliss Wright , Vice-President, Programs . c.c C. Topp, Regina General Hospital; L. Posyniak, University Hospital; K. Crosby, SHA; L. Lancaster , SHA.

Status

outstanding

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS Royal

Myth #7

Compulsory arbitration has never worked in any democratic country where it has been tried. It has been a dismal failure in Australia, where the incidence of annual strikes is three to five times the Canadian average. It has flopped in both Britain and the United States as well.

When British Columbia introduced compulsory arbitration of labour disputes in 1968, the number of mandays lost through strikes and lockouts in that province quadrupled in the next two year. The 8. C. experiment fizzled out shortly afterward.

The Federal Task Force on Labour Relations ruled . out compulsory arbitration as an acceptable alternative to the right to strike. "The inconvenience caused by strikes," said the Commission in its historic report , "is a small price to pay for the maintenance of the present collective bargaining system and the basic human rights on which it is founded."

In any event, a ban on strikes is impossible to enforce ih a free society . Only in a police state can workers be forced to work against their will. In a free society, compulsory arbitration doesn't eliminate strikes; it merely makes them illegal.

September 27th, 1990 - Roberta Ekberg read a letter from Janice Peterson wherein she tenders her resignation as the representative on Executive Council for Laboratory Technologists and as the Worker Co-Chairperson on the Occupational Health Committee at the Royal University Hospital.

- T. Slattery reported the following : (A) Re: Sick Leave policies at Royal University, Saskatoon City and Victoria Union Hospitals All three of these policies are similar and appear to be in breach of our Collective Agreement. T. Slattery was directed to inform the Hospitals of our concerns with the possibility of grieving the policies in the future.

(B) Re : Unfair Labour Practice Allegation against St. Paul's Hospital S .E.I.U. has filed an unfair labour practice against St. Paul's Hospital for assigning the Speech Language Pathologist to our bargaining unit in August 1989. As redress they are seeking union dues and initiation fees for this position from August 15, 1989 to July 9, 1990. In addition they are requesting the L.R.B. to restore their certification order as it existed prior to July 9, 1990. The hearing over this matter has been scheduled for October 19, 1990 in Saskatoon.

(C) Re: Royal University Hospital

GOODBYE JANICE Janice Peterson, who has served as President of H.S.A.S. and Executive Council Member for Laboratory Technologists, has decided to leave for sunny Alberta. We wish you well Janice and thank you for the time and effort you expended on behalf of your fellow H.S.A.S. members .

DISTRICTCOUNCIL CHAIRPERSONS/CO-CHAIRPERSONS SEMINAR A seminar was held in the H.S.A.S. offices on September 13, 1990 for all District Council Chairpersons and Co-Chairpersons.

The purpose of the seminar was to prepare participants for their role as your representative in the work place. Resource persons for this event were Roberta Ekberg and Tim Slattery .

UPCOMING EVENTS District Council meetings to discuss and establish 1. Essential service committees 2. Bargaining proposals. Our current contract expires December

31, 1991.

(i) H.S.A.S. has made the Hospital aware of their opposition to the circle program, in particular the mandatory aspect. (ii) Laboratory computer room A letter was written to the Worker Co-Chair of the Occupational Health Committee suggesting an Occupational Hygienist be called in to assess the noise level and made recommendations. (iii) Outstanding Issues Hospital request to take the Division Head in the Department of Psychology out-of-scope, letter of understanding outlining rates of pay for a Rehabilitation Assessor in Rehabilitation Outreach Services, reclassification of Technologist Ill in Nuclear Medicine to Chief Technologist, reclassification of C.T, Technologist to Technologist II (Vascular and Ultrasound), obtaining objective justification for negative performance app raisal in Laboratory. (iv) Improper Classification of Technologist I in Pathology (Electron Microscopy) T. Slattery was given permission to file a grievance against the Hospital for improper classification of the above noted Technologist.

(D) Re: Regina General Hospital - The Canadian Dietetic Association is now flip flopping on its original position that the Directors of Dietetic Intern Programs have a Masters Degree.Their new position seems to be that as long as someone within the Department has a Masters it will satisfy their accreditation requirements. As a result, the Hospital has filled their vacancy with a Bacculaureate.

DISPATCHES

PAGE 11

- The Education Fund Committee (Nahid Ahmad, Terry Akister and Tim Slattery) presented its draft proposal to Executive Council. Council recommended that it be presented to the A.G.M. for approval.

DISTRICT COUNCIL CHAIR AND CO-CHAIRPERSONS

- On behalf of the Women and Mental Wellness Conference to be held in Saskatoon in November, 1991, Nahid Ahmad requested H.S.A.S. to donate funds to assist in staging the event. Council decided it needed more information before a decision could be made and Nahid agreed to provide it.

To ensure an H.S.A.S. physical pre:;ence in all Hospitals , the Association provides for District Council Chairpersons who serve as liaisons between members of the District Counci l and the Executive Council and Executive Director.

- Executive Council approved T. Slattery's draft of an Executive Council Orientation Manual.

Distr ict Council Chairpersons and Co-Cha ir persons Prince Albert Victoria Union Hospital

Bonnie Reed Bronwen Joyes

Saskatoon St. Paul's Hospital Ted Makeechak Saskatoon City Hospital Shannon Wilde Royal University Hospital Diane Mackenzie Connie Price

- Physical Therapist - Social Worker - Physical Therapist - Physical Therapist - Occup. Therapist - Physical Therapist

Regina Plains & Pasqua Hospitals Don Kuntz - Pharmacist (Plains) Andrew Pederson - Pharmacist (Plains) Regina General Hospital Yvonne Ounsworth- Physical Therapist

BOARD OF GOVERNORS "We'll take you off the vitamins for a couple of days."

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL The Executive Council is the governing body that conducts the business of the Association between Annual General Meetings.

The current Council members are: Executive Position

Group Ree.resented

Roberta Ekberg Pasqua Hospital

President

Pharmacists

Ted Makeechak

First Vice President

Physical Therapists

Ed Dewhurst Royal University Hospital

Vice President Radiology& Nuclear SecretaryfTreasurerMedicine Tech.

Name

The Board of Governors provide guidance and counsel to the Executive Council on all matters within the administration of the Association. Any member having served more than one full term of two years on the Executive Council, and having held either the office of President , First Vice-President or SecretaryfTreasurer for at least one full term of two years in such office elected by the Executive Council shall be eligible for election to the Board of Governors for a term of seven years.

The current Governor is: Ron Currie H.S.A.S. Staff Tim Slattery Executive Director Lynn Regier - Office Assistant

H.S.A.S. REPRESENTATIVES ON HOSPITAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COMMITTEES

Michelle Croshaw Council Member Royal University Hospital

Occupational Therapists

Janice Peterson Council Member Royal University Hospital

Laboratory Technologist ,

Lesley Chlopan Council Member Royal University Hospital

Speech Language Pathologists

Nahid Ahmad Council Member Royal University Hospital

Psychologists

Carol Cohen Saskatoon City Hospital

Social Workers

Regina Pasqua Hospital Plains Health Centre Regina General Hospital

Dietitians

Please make your health and safety concerns known to your Occupational Health Committee Representative.

Council Member

Holly Hudson Council Member Royal University Hospital

Prince Albert Victoria Union Hospital

Bonnie Reed

Physical Therapist

Saskatoon Ted Makeechak Physical Therapist St. Paul's Hospital Saskatoon City Hospital Donna Lee Kutney Pharmacist Royal University Hospital Iris Natyshak Lab. Technologost Ron Currie Pharmacist

NO H.S.A.S. REPRESENTATIVE Shelly Hoffman Social Worker YvonneOunsworth Physical Therapist

PAGE12

HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR NAME, ADDRESS TELEPHONE NUMBER, PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, OCCUPATION OR STATUS (Full-time , Part-time, LO.A., etc)??

If you have, please let us know by clipping out the "change of information" form and forward it to the H.S.A.S. office. We are in the process of computerizing our membership files and it is important that we have up-to-date information on file.

CHANGE OF INFORMATION FORM

PLEASELISTBOTH OLDINFORMATION/NEW INFORMATION : NAME:--------------~

ADDRESS : ~~-~-~~~~~~~~-

COMMITTEES Finance Ed Dewhurst Ted Makeechak Frank Bertoia Tim Slattery

Communication Tim Slattery - Editor Terry Akister Lesley Chlopan Ted Makeechak

Education Fund Nahid Ahmad Terry Akister Tim Slattery

Grievance Ted Makeechak Barbara Fergusson Joanne Walker Ed Dewhurst Roberta Ekberg Michelle Croshaw Terry Akister Tim Slattery

Emergency Fund Nahid Ahmad - Chairperson Tim Slattery Ted Makeechak Long Service Award Nahid Ahmad Carol Cohen

PHONENUMBER:~~~~~~~~~~~~

PLACEOF EMPLOYMENT:---------

OCCUPATION: ------------

STATUS:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We would like to provide space in the future editions of Dispatches for members' comments. If you have something you would like to see printed, please write to: Tim Slattery H.S.A.S .

1231 - 8th . Street East Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7H OSS Dispatches is published for the information of members of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, a union of health care professionals. Photos by Terry Akister.

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