Winter 2005 ONP Newsletter

ONP Takes the Lead on Health Canada 's Healthy Workplace Initiative

The Office of Nursing Policy is taking the lead on Health Canada 's Healthy Workplace Initiative (HWI) for Health Care Workers, part of the Pan-Canadian Health Human Resources Strategy. One of the key activities of the HWI in 2003-2004 has been to provide targeted funding to support existing local-level innovative healthy workplace initiatives and projects in health facilities and agencies in all settings across the continuum of care, e.g., hospitals, home, community and long-term care, mental health, palliative care, public health, etc.

The overall objectives of the Healthy Workplace Initiative are to:

• establish workplace environments that support the provision of quality health care; improve workers' health and well- being; and
• decrease turnover, absenteeism and overtime.

By supporting innovative healthy workplace projects that show the greatest potential for success, the HWI expects to achieve the following five goals:

• create awareness, momentum and learning;
• stimulate discussions at the provincial, territorial, and health region levels about current leading healthy workplace practices;
• support local initiatives designed to connect work environments, individual quality of work life, and organizational performance;
• contribute to the creation of innovative approaches and tools that health system employers, unions, professional associations, and policy-makers can use to create the kind of workplace conditions that contribute to HHR renewal and the overall sustainability of the health system; and
• encourage partnerships among stakeholders that will promote healthy workplace practices in an ongoing way at the governance levels of the health system.

Criteria for project funding include:

• a broad definition of health;
• a clear vision and values statement;
• strong leadership commitment;
• a multi-disciplinary team;
• employee participation;
• evidence-based decisions;
• monitoring and evaluation; and
• the use of a conceptual model or framework that links healthy work environment elements with positive outcomes for staff and patients.

Health Canada is providing a maximum of $4 million to support existing innovative HWIs from individual health care organizations nominated by provincial and territorial governments. The HWI Guide for Applicants for targeted funding for healthy workplace projects was sent to all provincial and territorial Ministries of Health for subsequent distribution to their respective health care organizations. The Guide outlines the eligibility criteria for funding and provides details for health care organizations on proposal development and submission. Interested organizations have submitted a proposal for endorsement by the respective provincial or territorial Ministry of Health, which will review the proposal to ensure that it: 1) fits the criteria in the Guide for Applicants; 2) supports provincial/territorial goals, objectives and priorities; and 3) will have a beneficial impact on the applicable province or territory. Based on this review, provincial and territorial Ministries of Health will nominate two to three applicant health care organizations within their respective jurisdictions for existing innovative HWIs. Proposals were accepted from October 2004 to December 16, 2004 . Projects are being selected by Health Canada 's review committee for funding - receiving from $266,000 to $400,000 each. Projects will last 27 months, with funding commencing in early 2005.

Inquiries about the Healthy Workplace Initiative should be directed to:

Ms. Kathie Paddock
Policy Advisor
Telephone: (613) 948-3677
E-mail: Kathie_Paddock@hc-sc.gc.ca .