Elk Point is moving ahead with plans to create a local healthcare attraction and retention committee following a regional summit focused on strengthening healthcare services in rural Alberta.

Mayor Wanda Cochrane updated council during its June 8 meeting after attending the Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) Summit in Smoky Lake, where municipalities from across the region gathered to discuss physician recruitment, healthcare staffing shortages, and strategies to attract healthcare professionals to rural communities.

The summit brought together community leaders, healthcare advocates and municipalities facing many of the same challenges.

Council heard that successful recruitment efforts often extend beyond simply hiring doctors and nurses. Communities are increasingly focusing on helping healthcare professionals and their families integrate into the community through housing support, social connections, recreation opportunities and local welcome initiatives.

One of the key takeaways from the summit was that retaining healthcare workers can be just as important as recruiting them.

Elk Point is now working to establish its own attraction and retention committee, which would focus on supporting local healthcare recruitment efforts while building stronger partnerships with healthcare providers and regional organizations.

The initiative aligns with broader discussions council has had in recent months surrounding housing, transportation and community supports that help make rural communities attractive places to live and work.

Council noted that many communities across Alberta are competing for the same limited pool of healthcare professionals, making local recruitment efforts increasingly important.

The committee is expected to include community members, healthcare representatives and local stakeholders interested in helping strengthen healthcare services in the area.