Media Advisory
Saskatchewan RNs head into their 88th Annual Meeting committed to 'tuRNing ideas into action' to move safe health care forward
Inspirational Humanitarian Advocate Stephen Lewis speaking on globalization and safe health care to close Conference
Regina, May 3, 2005 - More than 300 members of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association (SRNA) will attend the 88th annual meeting and conference committed to achieving safer health care for the people of Saskatchewan.
SRNA President Candace Skrapek, RN, says 'RNs will explore ways of creating a safer Canadian health care system and hear directly from Steven Lewis, United Nations Special Envoy regarding a global perspective on safe health care,' Skrapek adds that 'RNs know that improving the design and functioning of the health care system will ultimately result in improved health care with better outcomes for patients and that this can be enhanced by true collaboration between the people of Saskatchewan and all health care professionals.'
'Saskatchewan RNs and citizens can no longer watch decisions being made about safe health care - they must be an integral part of them,' says SRNA Executive Director Donna Brunskill, RN. 'RNs have a responsibility to use their knowledge, skill and judgment from the bedside, to the street, to the community, to decision making tables to advance safe health care and shape health reform. As a profession, RNs are committed to safe health care and the public good - the nursing perspective must influence the decisions being made about health care delivery.'
'Our annual meeting on Wednesday May 4 is a public forum where the many RN issues can be openly explored and discussed by both the members and the public' says Skrapek. 'It is also an opportunity for us to recognize the significant contributions that RNs make to the health of Saskatchewan people and to celebrate the leadership achievements of nursing colleagues from across the province.'
Skrapek says the 12-member Council, which governs the SRNA, is encouraging members to take an active part in this year's business meeting on Wednesday afternoon. SRNA Millennium and Life Awards will be presented at the Wednesday evening banquet. The Honourable John Nilson, Minister of Health, his Worship Pat Fiacco, Mayor of Regina and Marlene Smadu, RN, Ph. D., Canadian Nurses Association President-Elect, will provide brief addresses on the annual meeting day.
The second day of the event (May 5) focuses on broad safe health care issues and the practice of RNs. Featured speakers include Beth Sparks, RN, President, Nurses Association of New Brunswick. Our panel on safe health care is moderated by Marlene Smadu, RN and includes panelists Carolyn Hoffman, RN, Director of Operations, Ontario to British Columbia, Canadian Patient Safety Institute, Marcel Ayeko, Manager, Quality and Planning, Investigation Operations Branch, Transportation Safety Board and Rosalee Longmoore, RN, President, Saskatchewan Union of Nurses.
Brunskill says 'We are delighted to close our conference with Veteran Ambassador and Humanitarian Advocate Stephen Lewis. Stephen's tireless advocacy for the millions of Africans living with AIDS has touched the hearts of all of us, moved critical policy forward and created hope. His relentless work in human rights and health and his passionate advocacy for the world's most vulnerable are an inspiration.'
The Annual Meeting/Conference opens tomorrow morning, Wednesday, May 4 and continues through to Thursday, May 5. It is being held at the Regina Inn, 1975 Broad Street, Regina.
For more information:
Maureen Belanger
Communications Coordinator
Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association
(306) 533-3093
Last Updated: May 4, 2008