NAPE President Jerry Earle is repeating his contention that the provincial government needs to focus on retention of workers in the health care system, or recruitment will continue to be a problem.

Earle was responding to ongoing concerns about staff shortages across all medical professions.

There’s been a 25 per cent loss in the number of radiation therapists in the province, forcing the closure of a radiation unit at the Health Sciences. Meanwhile, respiratory therapists who serve a wide variety of patient needs have also seen a recent exodus.

The RNU this week reported some 700 RN vacancies in the province.

Earle says government needs to stop the bleeding first and ensure that working conditions are such that both current workers and new recruits are happy to stay.