Remuneration packages for medical staff will need to be adjusted to foster retention and this has started with Laboratory technicians being transitioned to laboratory scientists at a higher salary level, enrolled nurses being transitioned to nursing assistants at a higher salary level and raising the entry salary level for pharmacists.
Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong highlighted this regarding the ongoing exodus of medical staff in terms of their ongoing effort to rebuild better and stronger.
Dr Fong says it is part of a global phenomenon, and as such short-term and long-term mitigation measures are needed.
He says their immediate measure involves supporting the development of a support cadre of workers by re-looking at new programs that support lower-tier health cadres with shorter-duration training programs which at the same time provide alternative entry points to medical professions.
The Permanent Secretary says they are reviewing a program for nurse aides, and also exploring a theatre technician training program to support their efforts to support broader access to safe surgery and looking to recruit graduates from medical programs who can provide support roles to nurses and doctors.
He says they have also redesigned an easier and faster process of engaging volunteers through their volunteer support program to cater for those in urgent need of work experience.
The Ministry continues to review and employ strategies to improve the working environment of their workforce.
Dr Fong says a 12-hour roster system is being strategically implemented in some settings.
He says they are finalizing discussions to at least partially pay for pending leave to maintain health staff numbers.
The Permanent Secretary says they are also increasing the clerical officer cadre in large health centers and hospitals to reduce the administrative workload on the medical staff.
He says there are staff shortages that entail some health workers staying long hours at work however, they have redeployed more finance into the overtime and meal allowance allocation and using the time off in lieu condition to help to mitigate this.
Dr Fong says they have evolved a network of command centres that will optimise network communication to maintain surveillance on key issues and ensure that action plans are implemented well to mitigate those issues.
He says quality care improvement is an important cornerstone in all action plans.
A government-wide customer service initiative is also a key part of the command centre work plans.
This includes the engagement of General Practitioners, Private Dental Practitioners, Private Medical Laboratories, and Private Ambulance providers to support our services in a public-private partnership arrangement.
Budget submissions have been prepared and are being prepared to support human resource expansion and remuneration.
