Funding Supports Healthcare Recruitment, Retention in Cape Breton

A calendar of networking and social events, a spouses’ social club and free recreation days are among the projects welcoming new healthcare workers and their families to Cape Breton.

Two organizations focused on supporting newcomers will receive funding through the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment (OHPR) Community Fund.

“Strong community connections are key to attracting healthcare workers to our province – and keeping them here long term,” said Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, on behalf of Michelle Thompson, Minister responsible for the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment. “These Community Fund projects showcase some of the creative ways Cape Bretoners are making healthcare workers and their families feel included and valued within our communities.”

The two organizations, their projects and funding amounts are:

• Cape Breton Health Navigation Society (Island Ties) – $65,500 to create an innovation hub, offer welcome packages to newcomers, host networking events like a summer barbeque and Christmas social for healthcare students home on study breaks, provide recreational opportunities at local ski hills or golf clubs, and upgrade video resources promoting Cape Breton

• Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration – $20,728 to create a program of social events to support spouses and families of healthcare workers new to the island.

In total, 30 organizations will receive support through the OHPR Community Fund this year. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

The fund, established in 2022, is an action item in Action for Health, the government’s plan to improve healthcare. It supports community healthcare recruitment and retention initiatives organized by local non-profit organizations, charitable community groups, cultural organizations, member-based organizations and boards, municipalities and chambers of commerce.

Quotes:

“We’re so excited to receive this funding, which supports our welcome programs and tools we’ve developed to attract and retain healthcare workers and their families to Cape Breton. Working together, we know we have great ideas and many ways to create that sense of belonging within our communities.”
— Bryan Pratt, Chair, Cape Breton Health Navigation Society

“The Community Fund allows us to extend our Cape Breton hospitality to new healthcare workers and their families and offer some unique programs and ideas that help create new connections and community. We know we have lots to offer here and look forward to building new friendships.”
— Alex Paul, Chair, Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration

Quick Facts:

• the OHPR Community Fund supported 28 community-led recruitment and retention initiatives in 2022-23, investing more than $1.5 million into a range of projects, including healthcare worker recognition events, online support tools, marketing videos and even a community garden

Additional Resources:

News release - New Community Projects Support a Diverse Health Workforce: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/03/06/new-community-projects-support-diverse-health-workforce

Fund guidelines and details are available at: https://novascotia.ca/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