By Angela Hill

Board vacancies to remain open

Nov 15, 2010 | 11:20 AM

Vacant positions on the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region board will remain that way.

The Ministry of Health doesn’t have plans to fill the posts, resigned by two board members during the past couple of months.

“The decision has been made, by the government, that the two vacancies will not be filled and that is as a result of conversations with the board chair — he feels they can operate efficiently without the 12,” said Tanya Klassen, director of regional planning and support for the ministry.

“The legislation states that it’s up to 12 members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and council —it doesn’t have to sit at 12.”

Prince Albert Parkland Health Region is not the only one to be operating with fewer numbers.

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Of the 12 provincial health regions in Saskatchewan, only four are currently operating with the full complement of directors. Larger centres operate with around 10 members and the two regions to the north of Prince Albert Parkland, have only eight directors each.

The shift in policy arises from direction and recommendations of last year’s patient first review, said Klassen.

“Smaller boards were recommended as part of an effort to direct dollars away from bureaucracy. So where we can and where we are sure that the regions are operating efficiently and effectively we actually proceed with under filling,” she said.

“And as long as we feel there is an appropriate mix of skills and abilities to get the business done of the region and the board is confident that the attendance is such that they will make quorum at every meeting, then that’s great.”

The empty positions haven’t caused any disruptions to the operation of the region and as long as the board continues to run efficiently they will continue to under-fill positions, Klassen said.

ahill@panow.com