Grassroots efforts attract nurses to Sackville Memorial Hospital

The Rural Health Action Group’s efforts to recruit healthcare workers for the Sackville Memorial Hospital are paying off and the group suggests its grassroots approach could be a model for other communities. The committee presented figures showing improved staffing numbers and confirmed that a return of acute-care beds is happening. Improved staff vacancy rates in that unit were also noted. Other highlights included three staff who returned following leaves of absence; the hiring of two RNs; two new grads brought into permanent full-time positions and the filling of all LPN positions. The volunteer-run Rural Health Action Group operated with no money, mandate or direct accountability.