The Restigouche region is poised to take a significant step toward establishing a daycare pilot project specifically designed for healthcare workers, according to the head of Vitalité Health Network. In the coming weeks, the regional health authority intends to issue a request for proposals to find a partner to operate such a daycare. This initiative would mark a groundbreaking development for New Brunswick.
The announcement was made by Vitalité’s president and CEO, Dr. France Desrosiers, following the public board meeting held in Campbellton on Tuesday. During the meeting, several regional leaders emphasized the pressing need for a designated daycare that would cater to the unique schedules of healthcare workers, operating seven days a week and offering extended hours, ideally 12 hours a day or even around the clock.
Brad Mann, president and chair of the Restigouche Regional Service Commission, highlighted the critical importance of daycare services for healthcare workers. He noted that some existing employees have been unable to return from maternity or other leaves due to the lack of available daycare options, while others have declined job offers in the region for the same reason. Mann emphasized that a daycare is a top priority for the commission, expressing frustration over the delay in its establishment. He called for a firm commitment and a clear timeline for the project.
Normand Pelletier, mayor of Heron Bay, stressed the need for a daycare not only to support the return of nurses to the workforce but also to attract young professionals to the region. He pointed out that travel nurse costs have been a significant expense for the province, highlighting the potential of a daycare to alleviate staffing issues at Campbellton Hospital.
Campbellton Mayor Jean-Guy Levesque echoed the call for aggressive solutions, describing a daycare as a practical solution that should have been implemented already. He noted the municipality’s recent success in securing $4.5 million from the federal government for the construction of 200 housing units, which is expected to aid in recruitment efforts. However, he emphasized the importance of addressing the daycare issue to ensure the retention of healthcare professionals and their families in the region.
Dr. Desrosiers acknowledged that a daycare has always been part of Vitalité’s vision, but emphasized the need for community support and partnership to bring it to fruition. She explained that Vitalité’s mandate is to provide healthcare services, not to operate a daycare. The organization has been seeking funded daycare spaces, which are in high demand among employees.
Vitalité has identified a potential location for the daycare within a short distance from the hospital, but the exact location has not been disclosed to protect the privacy of healthcare professionals who currently work in that area and have not yet been informed of a possible relocation.
The former addiction services building on Gallant Dr. was initially proposed as a suitable location due to its proximity to both Campbellton Regional Hospital and Restigouche Hospital Centre, as well as the new detox centre, serving approximately 1,300 healthcare workers. However, this site was later deemed inappropriate due to safety concerns related to its proximity to the highway and certain services, such as detox.
Desrosiers expressed optimism about the request for proposals process, as several private contractors have already expressed interest in partnering on the project. She could not provide a specific timeline for the establishment of the daycare but remained hopeful about its potential impact.
The New Brunswick Nurses Union and the New Brunswick Medical Society have both expressed their support for the daycare initiative. Paula Doucet, president of the nurses’ union, highlighted the challenges faced by nurses in finding daycare options that align with their irregular work schedules. She emphasized the need for convenient daycare hours to support the recruitment and retention of nurses in the province.
Dr. Paula Keating, president of the New Brunswick Medical Society, stressed the importance of childcare support for physicians, particularly those with young families. She noted that childcare is a major concern for many physicians and that the society has long advocated for government-supported childcare programs for healthcare workers. Such programs would not only enable physicians currently practicing in New Brunswick to return to work sooner or more fully but also serve as an incentive for attracting new physicians to the province.
