RN recruitment success for Biggar

By Kate Winquist

The SHA along with the Government of Saskatchewan have been working diligently for the past year on Registered Nurse (RN) recruitment with a goal toward full resumption of acute care services at Biggar and District Health Centre.

That persistence has paid off with the announcement of three new Registered Nurses (RNs) for the Biggar and District Health Centre, providing the additional support needed to maintain 24/7 ER services and operation of eight acute care beds in that community. All RN positions have been filled. One of the first five RNs from the Philippines arriving in Saskatchewan this summer has been recruited to Biggar and will begin clinical placement this mon th. A second RN will arrive in February 2024. A nurse practitioner has also been recruited to work in Biggar.

The SHA has appreciated the dedication of the physicians and staff at Biggar and District Health Centre as well as the ongoing patience and cooperation of Biggar and area residents.

Biggar-Sask Valley Constituency MLA, Randy Weekes said,“Difficulty recruiting health care professionals is a challenge that communities across Saskatchewan, Canada, and the rest of the world are facing. The difference is that Saskatchewan has an agressive four-point Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize and retain over 1,000 more health care workers to communities across Saskatchewan, including Biggar. This successful recruitment is a result of everybody working together."