Provincial government releases health care core staffing review

The Newfoundland and Labrador government has released a review examining minimum staffing levels and the mix of health care professionals needed to safely meet patient care needs at selected Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) sites.

Deloitte Inc. was identified as the preferred proponent to conduct the review in July 2025. The assessment examines staffing models for nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and personal care attendants at six NLHS sites.

The locations included in the review are:

• Community Health Mount Pearl Square

• Placentia Health Centre, including Lions Manor

• Western Long-Term Care Home, including 10 rehabilitation and 15 restorative beds

• Labrador South Health Centre

• James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre

• Health Sciences Centre units 4NB and 4NA

The report contains 21 recommendations across four areas: enabling staff to work to their full scope, stabilizing core staffing, moving toward evidence-based staffing forecasts and reducing structural pressures on staffing.

The review also includes a guide to help NLHS evaluate staffing needs at other sites across the province.

The provincial government says it is reviewing the recommendations with the Registered Nurses' Union Newfoundland and Labrador, NAPE and CUPE, with further collaboration planned to improve health care delivery.

The review was a commitment made to the Registered Nurses' Union of Newfoundland and Labrador during the 2019 collective bargaining process.