Recently, our provincial government announced that more than $16 million in new funding will be invested this year to expand staffing and training in personal care homes (PCHs). This new funding will support the recruitment and hiring of more than 350 healthcare aides to increase the amount of daily direct care provided to residents; the addition of 72 new positions for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses combined; the establishment of medical leads to provide leadership and guidance to PCH medical services and infection prevention and control enhancements; and the investment of $1.5 million in tuition supports and direct care staff recruitment incentives to help build this workforce. This new funding is in addition to more than $15 million announced in April of this year, to improve infection prevention and control in the long-term care sector, add housekeeping and allied health staff, and improve information and communication technology related to patient care and operations.
Strengthening healthcare is the top priority for our government, including the health and well-being of those living in PCHs. We will continue to make improvements and staffing investments to ensure older Manitobans are supported and receive safe and person-centered services. I am proud to be part of a government that values and cares for it’s older residents.
This month, I had the pleasure of attending graduation ceremonies for high schools throughout the Dawson Trail constituency. It was wonderful being a part of such a joyous occasion in these students’ lives. While at these graduation ceremonies, I awarded scholarships to some incredibly deserving students. The seven individuals in Dawson Trail who received Most Improved Student awards are Graham Belisle from Ste. Anne Collegiate, Gage Martens from College Lorette Collegiate, Brody Wiebe from Ste. Anne Adult Learning Centre, Ian Lamb from Landmark Collegiate, Joel Tetrault from Ecole Pointe-Des-Chenes, and Jenneva Wollmann and Josiah Kleinsasser from Grafton Colony School. I would like to congratulate these seven students, as well as all the other graduates, and wish them all the best with what lies ahead.
