NLHS says it’s using a recently released HR resources plan as a “blueprint” for hiring staff in the years to come.

The report examines 2022 numbers and projects potential staffing levels through 2032, as well as the actions required by the province to hire staff based on these estimates.

The report currently doesn’t look at the actual numbers for this year and 2023-2024.

Health Minister Krysta Lynn Howell recognized that the report is a “snapshot” of what the future could look like.

“It is a tool we can use to model to see how our recruitment and retention efforts will unfold and how we can better support the healthcare system,” she said.

Meanwhile, the opposition PC’s are accusing the Liberals of “playing with the numbers,” pointing to the timing of the three-year-old report released ahead of a provincial election.

“When they’re using numbers to suit their own causes, the public doesn’t find that,” Petten told reporters, saying residents are finding the system is getting worse, not better.

NDP Leader Jim Dinn points to other failed “blueprints” by the provincial government, and questioned whether they’ll do the promised work.

“A blueprint only works if you’re actually going to do something with it. A blueprint for a house is only going to work if you’re actually going to build a house,” he said.

“I’ve heard we’re going to look into it. Minister Howell, she was the Minister of Education, had the Education Accord, which is supposed to be a blueprint to solve the issues in education. Where is that going to go?”