Province expands incentive eligibility in effort to hire more rural health-care staff

As Saskatchewan struggles with a lack of health-care workers, the provincial government is offering big incentives to workers in high-priority roles in rural areas.

The Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive, first launched by the provincial government in October, was expanded this week. The incentive provides between $30,000 and $50,000 over three years for those hired to work in any of nine “high-priority positions” in 49 rural and remote locations around Saskatchewan.

Everett Hindley, Saskatchewan’s minister for rural and remote health, said the government’s efforts to hire more health-care workers are beginning to show results, and he expects the expanded incentive program to add to that.

“I’m pleased to see that progress is being made in hiring for high-priority positions in rural and remote locations that have experienced service disruptions,” Hindley said in a statement issued Wednesday.

“We’ll continue working aggressively to stabilize health services across the province and build a stronger, more sustainable health-care workforce.”

Applications for the new incentive are open until March 1, 2023, or while funds last, the government noted. More information on eligibility and applications can be found on the Saskatchewan government’s website.

While the incentives are aiming to hire more workers to rural and remote areas, where there have been a number of service disruptions at hospitals and emergency rooms, the province’s urban centres are struggling with a shortage of doctors and health-care workers as well, particularly when it comes to family physicians.