Currently Canada is experiencing a shortage of doctors, and this shortage is especially acute for rural communities like Creston. Starting in 2006, Creston was affected by the shortage because the lack of doctors limited emergency medical services to only 12 hours a day. To address the shortage of doctors and medical care, the Town of Creston partnered with the Regional District of Central Kootenay, the Creston Valley Development Authority, the Interior Health Authority, and local doctors to create the Creston Valley Health Group. The Creston Valley Health Group worked on recruiting and retaining doctors. During the program’s first year, three doctors have relocated to Creston, and the program’s year goal is to place one or two permanent doctors in Creston, and recruit two to five substitute doctors.