The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services and representatives of the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Family Physicians, today met with Dr. Megan Hayes to welcome her into her new role as Assistant Deputy Minister of Health Professional Recruitment and Retention with the Provincial Government.
Located within the Department of Health and Community Services, this position signals the importance of attracting health care professionals to the province and is accountable for building a world-class recruitment and retention program, in partnership with key stakeholders, for health professionals with the appropriate skill sets and a desire to work in the province.
The Provincial Government, along with the College, recognizes there are challenges that need to be addressed regarding the recruitment and retention of all health care professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador, including physicians. In an effort to promote better recruitment and retention strategies – particularly in rural parts of the province – government established a Provincial Health Professional Recruitment and Retention Office to assist with the development of a more comprehensive provincial approach to recruitment and retention.
Led by Dr. Hayes, the recruitment of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, as well as other valued health care professionals, will be strengthened by this provincial approach to support and modernize new and existing human resource practices and programs.
In October 2021, the Provincial Government announced a number of immediate and interim steps to improve access to primary health care in Newfoundland and Labrador, while the important work of Health Accord NL to reimagine the system continued. The establishment of a Provincial Health Professional Recruitment and Retention Office was one of the measures announced.
Quotes
“I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Hayes into her new role which is crucial as we address the health care professional shortfall we are experiencing in our province, particularly in rural areas. We know this is an issue being experienced in the rest of the country and jurisdictions around the world, but this office and new executive position are steps in the right direction toward finding solutions.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“We need a dedicated focus, coupled with a collaborative approach, to the health care recruitment and retention challenges facing our province, and this is what Dr. Hayes brings to the table. As I have said on many occasions, we can’t tackle these challenges on our own, but need to work together to find solutions that benefit us all.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
“Every Newfoundlander and Labradorian deserves timely, accessible health care. In this era of critical clinician shortages, it is vital that we have an effective and efficient strategy for recruitment and retention – one that is led by the brightest, most imaginative front-line healthcare professionals. In order to meet the health needs of our people and our communities, we must take immediate action to build our health care workforce and strengthen support for our existing front-line personnel. The Newfoundland and Labrador College of Family Physicians fully endorses the selection of Dr. Megan Hayes as Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Professional Recruitment and Retention, and looks forward to future opportunities for collaboration.”
Dr. Chris Patey
President, NL College of Family Physicians
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Learn more
News Release: Initiatives Aim to Improve Primary Care Access in Newfoundland and Labrador
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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Nancy Hollett
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 327-7878
nancyhollett@gov.nl.ca
Debbie Rideout
NL College of Family Physicians
709-728-5268
drideout@nlcfp.ca