The District of Kitimat is taking steps to improve local healthcare.

The Kitimat Healthcare Professionals Attraction and Retention Strategy has been adopted, with a number of key recommendations to boost the number of healthcare professionals in Kitimat. Kitimat Council has approved the first-year budget of the program, which is funded by LNG Canada.

“To address healthcare recruitment challenges, we needed a program that is dedicated to our own community,” says Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth. “We know that there are recruitment challenges faced everywhere in B.C. and in Canada, and this program is meant to focus on our specific needs here in Kitimat.”

Year one of this program includes the hiring of a dedicated Attraction and Retention Coordinator. Financial incentives for recruitment and training will be offered, along with housing and transportation allowances.

The District of Kitimat has, meanwhile, also approved a bursary for students in Kitimat schools who will be pursuing a career in healthcare. The $5,000 annual bursary will be awarded between two successful, eligible students who also indicate a willingness to return to Kitimat for work once their schooling is completed.

“This new strategy is a forward-thinking initiative that is certainly called for in this time of healthcare uncertainty,” says Kitimat Health Advocacy Group Chairperson Rob Goffinet. “The Kitimat Health Advocacy Group is excited for this advancement in healthcare recruitment, another step in ours and the District of Kitimat’s 20-year history of successful collaborations.”

The full Kitimat Healthcare Professionals Attraction and Retention Strategy document is available to view on the District of Kitimat’s website at www.kitimat.ca/reports.

Background

After a meeting held July 13, 2023, of agencies and organizations with an involvement in healthcare, and with rising community concerns about the state of healthcare locally, Council resolved on July 17, 2023

“THAT the District of Kitimat work with the Haisla Nation, the Kitimat Health Advocacy Group, Northern Health Authority and local industry and agencies to develop options and a budget for attraction and retention of healthcare professionals.” (R23-148)

A consultant was engaged to lead actioning this resolution. It was determined early in the process that a working group would be necessary to inform the strategy development. From August 2023 to December 2023, the consultant worked with Staff and the Working Group to research and interview key stakeholders in the healthcare sector within Kitimat and the region. The final report provides an overview of the process taken to develop this strategy, a look at what other communities have done to address similar challenges and recommendations the District of Kitimat can consider.

 

Media inquiries:

Cameron Orr
Business & Communications Manager, District of Kitimat
250-632-8900 ext. 2254
corr@kitimat.ca

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