Local business leaders in Altona have banded together with the town and Rhineland Municipality to launch an initiative they hope will help reopen hospital ER services in the community.

Southern Health RHA was forced to close the Altona Community Memorial Health Centre's emergency room temporarily in April due to high nursing vacancy rates. It expects to reopen the program by fall and is currently recruiting nurses to the community to make that happen.

To assist in that effort, a total of 11 area business leaders along with local municipal officials have created an incentive package to assist in the recruitment of nurses to the community.

Stephanie Harris, economic development officer for Supporting Entrepreneurs through Economic Development (SEED) says local business leaders understand the value of having access to full health care services.

"Having a strong and vibrant health system is important for economic activity and growth, especially in expanding rural communities, and I think when the news broke that the local ER was going to be temporarily closed, our local businesses and community leaders really rallied together to support the nursing recruitment efforts."

The financial support through the incentive package totals about $7,000 and is being offered to nurses who accept a 0.6-time position or greater at the Altona Health Centre, with a focus on Registered Nurses.

It includes accommodation in a furnished suite for the first four weeks upon arrival valued at $2,000, free use of a vehicle for 28 days valued at $1,000, and $2,000 worth of Welcome Chamber Bucks that can be spent at numerous business locations in Altona. An additional $2,000 worth of Chamber Bucks will be provided to nurses who remain in Altona beyond the first 12 months.

"These supports are designed to create a soft landing for new nurses arriving in the community," says Harris.

The recruitment incentive initiative, coordinated by SEED, also includes a nursing recruitment video and social media campaign.

“We are proud of our ongoing partnerships with communities to deliver a range of quality health care services across Southern Health-Santé Sud," says Jane Curtis, CEO for Southern Health-Santé Sud. "It is in that context that the community of Altona has proactively assisted with concrete and solid recruitment initiatives to help address human resource challenges at the health centre. The partnering culture and leadership from this very strong rural community have sparked very intuitive ideas which will be conducive to reaching our shared goal of reinstating 24/7 Emergency Department services in Altona.”

The businesses participating in the incentive package program include Friesens Corporation, Red River Mutual, Golden West Broadcasting, Elmer’s Manufacturing, Sun Valley Co-op, Buffalo Creek Mills, H&M Farms, Kathy Klassen Financial Strategies, Rhineland Car, Green Valley Equipment, and West Park Motors in partnership with the Town of Altona and Municipality of Rhineland.