CITY CREATES PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT HEALTHCARE RECRUITMENT
Short-term housing options and community welcome packages are now available.
Following discussions with Dr. Jordyn Vanderveen, CR & District Division of Family Practice, and Dr. Sol Gregory, CR Medical Staff Engagement Initiative Society, the City of Campbell River (the City) is bringing forward an Essential Workers Temporary Housing program and Welcome to Campbell River packages to support essential worker recruitment efforts.
The City’s Essential Workers Temporary Housing Program will provide a short-term rental accommodation option that can be secured by locum physicians and other healthcare essential workers on a first-come, first-served basis for a minimum of one week to up to three months. The fully furnished suite is in an apartment building close to the hospital and will cost $50 per night (including utilities, internet, and weekly cleaning).
“One of the biggest barriers we face when looking to secure locum physicians to come to Campbell River is access to available, affordable housing,” says Sadie Mack, Operations Coordinator with the CR and District Division of Family Practice. “The collaboration with the City of Campbell River to provide essential workers with temporary housing options not only addresses a housing gap for temporary workers, but it also shows the permanent family doctors that the community values family physicians and is willing to go the extra mile to support them and their need to take time off. This program will increase the likelihood of new physicians finding our community while simultaneously providing much-needed relief for local physicians, ensuring that patients are getting the best care possible.”
All revenue from the rental service will cycle back into the program, bringing more healthcare professionals to Campbell River and further addressing the community’s healthcare needs.
“Recruitment of healthcare workers is a challenge that municipalities across British Columbia are facing, and collaboration is the only path forward,” says Acting Mayor Susan Sinnott. “Council is committed to addressing livability within the community, and access to doctors and nurses is a huge component of that. Available housing for short-term, locum healthcare positions is a challenge across British Columbia. During peak seasons, short-term rentals are often unavailable, and consequently, locum positions are left vacant. This gap increases wait times and reduces the care available at hospitals and clinics. We are thrilled that collaboration with the Campbell River & District Division of Family Practice and Campbell River Medical Staff Initiative has led to fast action and impactful solutions and are confident that housing options and welcoming packages will positively impact healthcare recruitment in Campbell River.”
In addition to housing, the City will also share welcome packages with physicians joining the community. Campbell River is a vibrant community with so much to offer and these packages look to promote the unique elements that make it the all-season oceanfront gem that it is today and keep the community top of mind. The welcome bag will include products and services from local businesses that showcase the community, including Campbell River tea and soap, gift certificates for local food and beverage spots, as well as pins and magazines that highlight the community.
If you are a business that would like to be a part of the welcome bag, or you have questions on these City programs, reach out to essentailservicerental@campbellriver.ca.
“I loved the bag from the City of Campbell River, the gifts are really nice and a good representation of local artisans. We are excited to use the vouchers for the Sportsplex when the rest of the family joins us and the information is really helpful to see what spring activities are available. The bag is also useful and I can see myself using it for hauling around stuff.”
- Doctor Annalize De Villiers, Pediatrician
“I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to the City of Campbell River for the thoughtful gifts they sent to welcome me. It was a delightful surprise and a warm gesture that I truly appreciated. I have opened the gifts and they are truly beautiful. I have no doubt that they will be cherished for years to come. The City's involvement in welcoming new physicians is a great initiative, and I commend them for taking such an interest in supporting the Campbell River community.”
- Doctor Tarig Abdalla, Family Practioner, Quadra Island
“We are so pleased to have the City of Campbell River setting the standard for welcoming new physicians and working with us in our recruitment efforts. From the moment Doctor Sol Gregory and Doctor Jordyn Vanderveen asked the City for support in January 2023, the City has been very responsive, and it is appreciated. The welcome packages are beautiful and have been exceptionally well received.”
Janet MacDonell, Executive Administrator of the CR Medical Staff Engagement Initiative