More Funding to Support Healthcare Recruitment, Retention in Lunenburg, Queens Counties

The Province is supporting a group that is working to bring healthcare professionals to Lunenburg and Queens counties and keep the providers already there.

The South Shore Multicultural Association will receive funding for settlement materials and community events to integrate and connect newcomer healthcare professionals to the community. Opportunities include recreational, sporting, cultural and creative activities such as family and beach days, canoeing, biking, tai chi, nature walks, cooking, painting and more.

“Creating a connection between healthcare workers and their community is key,” said Public Works Minster Kim Masland, MLA for Queens, on behalf of Michelle Thompson, Minister responsible for the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment. “The warm and welcome environment that the South Shore Multicultural Association is providing in its communities will be invaluable in the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers.”

The funding is from the government’s new Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment Community Fund. A total of 28 groups across Nova Scotia applied by the December 19 deadline, and more successful applicants will be notified in the coming weeks.

The fund, worth $2 million in total, is among the recruitment and retention initiatives outlined in Action for Health, the Province’s plan to improve healthcare.

Quotes:

“Participation in recreational and leisure activities is a wonderful way for newcomers and their families to have fun, make meaningful connections, and settle into their new communities. We are thrilled to be able to offer these opportunities to new healthcare professionals on the South Shore.”

– Anne Fownes, Executive Director, South Shore Multicultural Association

Quick Facts:

• the South Shore Multicultural Association will receive $34,470
• organizations across the province could apply for up to $100,000 from the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment Community Fund
• to be eligible, community organizations had to be a registered society, association, non-profit or charity; municipalities and chambers of commerce were also eligible
• two funding streams were available: community identified projects and community readiness supports; groups could request funding from one or both

Additional Resources:

Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment Community Fund: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-recruit-and-retain-healthcare-professionals-ohpr-community-fund

Action for Health: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/

Mandate letter of the Minister of Health and Wellness and Minister responsible for the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-DHW.pdf