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The Municipality of the District of Chester announced it will receive $25,000 to create a “Love Where you Work” campaign based on the unique needs of doctors and their families. The campaign will include a website as well as community recruitment and training champion, and scheduled check-ins with doctors.
On hand to make the announcement was Lunenburg MLA Suzanne Lohnes-Croft who said “Showcasing our area and what makes it such a special place is imperative when attracting doctors.”
This campaign also wants to ensure that when they do attract a doctor that they can retain them.
General Manager of Our Health Centre Lorainne Burch says making sure spouses of doctors feel welcome is important. “It’s crucial that we show our community is good for the whole family. Spouses need to find things like child care, employment we have great universities nearby and we need to let people know that.”
Attracting doctors has been one of the top priorities of Chester, with three physicians leaving the area since last Fall. Warden of the Municipality Allen Webber says “Having essential systems in place, such as health care, is critical to the functionality of rural municipalities. Their presence has a direct impact on economic development and other key municipal operations that grow our communities. We all have a significant role to play in assisting in ongoing efforts to attract and retain physicians. Partnering with Our Health Centre at the community level is a positive step towards accomplishing this.”
This is the second Lunenburg County project to receive funding through Healthy Communities which aims to improve the quality of life in rural areas around the province. NOW Lunenburg received $20,000 in 2019 to support a six-episode online video series for doctors considering starting a life and practice in the area.
