Health officials say progress is being made to recruit and retain health care workers in Sussex.

The community’s emergency room has been closed overnight for nearly a year due to staffing shortages.

Horizon Health recently announced that it has recruited three physicians to provide emergency department coverage throughout the Saint John health region (Zone 2), which includes Sussex.

One of those physicians is dedicating 60 per cent of their time to covering rural EDs like Sussex.

However, Horizon said around six full-time physicians must be recruited to restore 24/7 emergency department service to the community.

“We are elated to see this success in the Sussex area,” Kerry Kennedy, the health authority’s executive director of talent acquisition, said in a news release.

Kennedy was not available for an interview to discuss the recent progress made in the Sussex area.

Meanwhile, Horizon said it has also welcomed 15 additional nursing staff to the community.

Two nurse practitioners are providing primary care services to residents and actively adding patients to their rosters through Patient Connect NB.

The health authority has also recruited seven registered nurses and four licensed practical nurses in family medicine and two registered nurses to join the emergency department team.

“Although there is more work to be done before the organization can fully restore 24/7 operation at the [Sussex Health Centre] Emergency Department, Horizon remains fully committed to this objective,” the health authority said in the release.

“We are actively working in collaboration with members of the Sussex community to promote the area as an ideal place to build a career in healthcare while enjoying the unique benefits the town has to offer.”