The Northern Health Region held its annual general meeting for the fiscal year that ended March of this year.

 

As the fiscal year encompassed the first year of COVID-19, it was a major focus of CEO Helga Bryant’s overview.

 

Bryant says this past year was different as the news of vaccines being approved and distributed in winter 2020 gave a sense of hope that it would be the light at the end of the COVID tunnel.

 

She adds the pandemic allowed the authority to implement system changes such as in public health and primary care in communities, expanding virtual care options, and the value of provincial planning taking the obstacles northern health care has into account.

 

On the other hand, staff recruitment and retention continues to be something the NRHA has to address, particularly with health care aide positions.

 

To remedy this, the provincial government is working with Long Term Care to develop a program that would allow the authority to hire uncertified HCAs for an extended orientation.

 

However, Bryant stated they were able to fill some vacancies, such as key nursing positions.

 

For the full annual report, visit northernhealthregion.com.