Interest being gauged from health region execs on voluntary buyouts

The Wall government is ready to hear what kind of interest level there is from dozens of health region executives across Saskatchewan in regards to voluntary buyout packages.

A total of 74 individuals have been extended the offer: 12 CEOs and 62 vice-presidents.

“They’ve been offered the opportunity to consider it. We have asked for them to let us know by the beginning of March whether or not this is something that they’re interested in,” said Tracey Smith, assistant deputy minister within the ministry of health.

Smith wouldn’t reveal details of buyout packages, but said years of service would be a factor. Those discussions will happen throughout March once the province gets an idea of how many executives express interest in the separation packages.

For those who accept the offer, Smith said the terms of an agreement will have provisions to ensure an executive doesn’t receive a payout only to be re-hired sometime in the future.

“Those are the types of considerations that would be factored into those decisions,” she said. “We would be looking for fair, reasonable packages and re-employment and those types of things are not things that we would include in terms of the package itself.”

The buyouts are being offered as the province moves from 12 health regions to one. Smith confirmed a transition team made up of six to eight individuals are in place as work on the changeover continues.

There’s still no indication of where the new health region will be based.

Smith said it’s hoped to be in place and operational by fall 2017 at the earliest.