Nurses’ union invites PRRD to apply for new local governments award

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The regional district was invited to apply for the first award offered by the province’s nurses’ union for supporting healthcare workers. 

At the September 18th meeting of the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) board of directors, a letter from the British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU) was included in the agenda. 

The union presented to the board in March, discussing recent efforts to set provincial patient-nurse ratios. 

The letter detailed a new initiative to “shine a spotlight on local governments that have taken significant actions to support nurses in our province.”

According to the union, the BCNU Health Care Champion award will be given to one local government every year moving forward at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention from September 22nd to 26th. 

“This year’s award will recognize the key role local governments play in nurse retention and recruitment by making their communities more attractive to nurses,” the letter read.  

“With nearly half of B.C. nurses under the age of 40 and over 90 per cent identifying as women, investments in local resources and community supports that help promote work/life balance are essential, including areas like housing, childcare, transportation and recreation.”

The letter encouraged the PRRD to describe its efforts in supporting nurses for the opportunity to be recognized as the first to receive the annual award.

While the letter was included in the agenda, it was not discussed by directors during the meeting. 

Energeticcity.ca has reached out to the PRRD for more information about if an application was sent and will update this story if more information becomes available.

To read the letter, see below.