Healthy signs for staffing in Quesnel med professions
Quesnel is succeeding at healthcare recruitment.
While all health-related professions are a struggle to fill here and across Canada, some jobs more than others, the efforts to keep staffing levels strong in our city were applauded by mayor and council at a recent public meeting.
They heard an update from recruitment specialist Beverlee Barr about how the local program was started in 2015 to address shortages of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, and has since become a well-recognized model for similar services to complement the recruitment efforts of health authorities.
A similar initiative was later introduced to the central and south Cariboo regions based on the successes of the joint initiative with the City of Quesnel.
“It’s a real pat on the back for the City of Quesnel, and for our program,” said Quesnel mayor Ron Paull. “The fact that others are duplicating that is testament to the success of that program.”
“In terms of healthcare professional recruitment, we have a well established team that works well together; we do our best to ensure there is support for potential recruits at each step along the way as they consider Quesnel, plan their relocation, start work and settle into the community,” Barr told The Observer.
There are aspects to the Quesnel recruitment and retention program that are different than other communities.
“The level of support we provide through the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) healthcare recruitment and retention funding certainly contributes to our success,” said Barr. “The program makes our community stand out to potential recruits. I receive regular feedback from recruits about the positive impacts of the program and how the additional assistance eased their transition into the community. They are very grateful for this support.”
It’s a program that rolls out the red carpet for those candidates who pick Quesnel, including an apartment downtown to help transition newcomers to the community.
“We found that housing could be challenging at times, so the City of Quesnel supported the program to furnish a rental apartment. The apartment has been very well utilized and makes it easier for new recruits arriving to the community. It is also popular with locum physicians, medical residents, and learners, as well as other health care professionals,”Barr said.
“Our program is continually adapting as we identify gaps. For example, in the last year, the funding from the CCRHD was extended to provide further incentive to locum physicians providing service to the community. This has increased relief for our local physicians and supports longer term retention.”
Northern HealthQuesnel