Maple Creek is being promoted as part of an effort to solve the nursing shortage.
The community’s selling points are to be pushed at universities, career days and similar events to encourage people to fill positions at the Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility.
The marketing push was disclosed at a Maple Creek Town Council meeting. It comes on top of financial incentives to attract people to the community.
Councillor Betty Abbott said the Southwest Healthcare Trust Board had taken on the task of recruiting healthcare staff.
It was also working at accumulating funds, along with neighbouring RMs. The Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation will be helping as well.
The promotion will concentrate on universities and such events as career days, selling “the town of Maple Creek and the area, encouraging people to come out here and looking at having some incentives”.
“We plan on learning from past mistakes,” said Councillor Abbott at the November 8 meeting.
Earlier, Council heard that there had been a low turnout at a November 1 information session, which gave people an opportunity to meet the Dr. Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation Board and staff, and the Southwest Trust Committee.
Councillor Abbott spoke of the importance of the foundation to Maple Creek.
“Our hospital is fairly new, but some of the equipment is continuing to age. Things need to be replaced, so if you want to see our hospital have funds to buy new equipment, you do need to continue to fundraise. So, you can always donate to the foundation.”
Councillor Tina Cresswell said she found the information to be interesting.
“We can be assured that the money we raise in Maple Creek stays in Maple Creek.”
Councillor Cresswell said local efforts to solve the nursing crisis had also been praised.
“Maple Creek’s proaction in trying to find a solution to the nursing shortage was mentioned several times. We were complimented on what we are doing.”
Michelle McKenzie, the Mayor, said the trust board and Dr. Nobel Irwin foundation were important for the community.
“Noble Irwin are the keepers of our money, but we can get that money out any time.”
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