The Sackville Memorial Hospital. Image: Submitted/Horizon Health Network

Horizon Health Network says it is making progress in its recruitment and retention efforts at Sackville Memorial Hospital.

The Network says it has recruited and onboarded five Registered Nurses (RNs) and five Nurse Practitioners who are now working in the Emergency Departments.

Horizon has added nursing support to other areas of the hospital, including the Brunswick inpatient unit.

Overall, 19 of 24 RN positions at the hospital are also currently filled.

Horizon admits there is more that needs to be done before 24/7 coverage can safely resume at the Sackville Memorial Hospital.

They need to recruit around four physicians and two RNs in order to safely resume 24-7 ED operations in Sackville.

Horizon is also getting ready to move forward with significant capital upgrades to the hospital in the coming months, including the construction of a second operating room (OR) theatre, renovations to the existing OR, as well as renovations to a section of the ED which sustained flood damage during Hurricane Fiona in September.

Horizon is investing approximately $2 million into this project, with work expected to begin by late spring 2023.