Manitoba Minister of Health Theresa Oswald declared that October 4 – 8, 2010, has been proclaimed Manitoba Health Care Support Workers’ Week. 2010 marks the tenth year that the Province of Manitoba has dedicated a week to honour the contributions made by health care support workers in the province.
The proclamation issued by Minister Oswald acknowledges that health care support workers, like other professionals who work in health care, devote their efforts to preserve and protect the quality health care all Manitobans enjoy, however the work health care support workers do often goes unrecognized.
“A successful health care system requires a wide variety of dedicated professionals,” said Minister Oswald in a letter to CUPE. “Health care support workers are deserving of recognition for their valuable contribution and for their commitment to patient care through their purposeful, caring work within Manitoba’s health care system. I recognize the dedicated efforts of CUPE members for their important role on a day to day basis.”
Glenda Smith, acting CUPE health care coordinator in Manitoba, stated that many patients and their families do not see the services that health care support workers provide, so this proclamation validates the role CUPE members play in the health care system.
“The work our members do is often hidden to the average person’s eye, but we know our work is important to patients and that our roles play a vital part in ensuring that all Manitobans have access to quality health care when they need it. It’s commendable that the province has once again acknowledged the work we do.”
To celebrate Health Care Support Workers’ Week, CUPE members who work in health care will be reaching out to patients and their families to draw attention to the proclamation by hosting coffee parties and information sessions in hospitals, clinics and personal care homes across Manitoba.
