News release

Supporting Community Efforts in Doctor Recruitment and Retention in Pictou County

Communities, Culture and Heritage (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)

Healthy Pictou County is receiving a $13,875 grant through the new Healthy Communities Stream to support community efforts to attract and retain new doctors.

The doctor-led community group will create a guide to welcome physicians and their families to the community. It will include information on enrolling children in school and sports or cultural activities as well as raise awareness of what the county’s six municipalities have to offer.

“The Healthy Communities Stream helps communities attract and retain physicians and their families through initiatives that use creativity and our diverse culture,” said Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey on behalf of Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine. “Government is pleased to support Healthy Pictou County’s efforts to promote the area as a great place to live.”

Government launched the $200,000 Healthy Communities Stream in August. It was developed with input from community groups, municipal leaders, health professionals and the Nova Scotia Health Authority. The intent is to complement ongoing recruitment efforts by the health authority and government.

Quotes:

““This funding provides a unique and exciting opportunity to build a welcome guide to Pictou County, allowing us all to come together and showcase how wonderful our community is. It will be a great resource to provide not only to incoming physicians and medical staff, but also to their families.”

– Nicole LeBlanc, project navigator, Healthy Pictou County

Quick Facts:

  • Healthy Pictou County is a physician-led, community organization focused on the attraction and retention of medical staff and students to Pictou County
  • funding is available through the program to a maximum of $25,000
  • municipalities, museums, libraries, social enterprises, First Nations, communities and community groups and cultural organizations that are registered Nova Scotia not-for-profits may apply
  • the next round of applications for the program closes Dec. 1

Additional Resources:

For more information, visit: https://novascotia.ca/culture-innovation-fund-healthy-communities/

Nova Scotia’s Culture Action Plan: https://novascotia.ca/culture

Healthy Pictou County: https://healthypictoucounty.ca/