The ongoing staffing shortage at Quinte Health hospitals is becoming less serious as recruitment efforts have been paying off.
President of Quinte Health Stacey Daub told the board of directors Tuesday that 437 people had been hired since April of last year, including 137 nurses.
The vacancy rate is now eight per cent. At the end of 2022 it was 12 per cent.
Daub says Loyalist College and its nursing and medical radiologist programs have been a big help.
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“Loyalist College has been the best partner to Quinte Health in its pursuit of a steady, stable, high quality workforce.”
This month 271 students, most from Loyalist College, are getting practical experience at local hospitals. Last year 85 students were hired on as staff, up over 50 from 2023.
Meanwhile, Quinte Health board members were concerned that federal cutbacks to the number of international students allowed at colleges would hurt future recruitment efforts.
Quinte Health Vice-President Susan Rowe said healthcare programs at Loyalist have not been affected by the cap on international students.