PC Leader David Brazil says the province dropped the ball when it comes to recruiting respiratory therapists right out of school.

Six therapists from Eastern Health have quit since September, with more positions expected to be vacant soon as the strain takes its toll.

Eastern Health says staff are citing reasons related to workload, salary and overtime.

But Brazil says the situation might be better if the province had approached graduating students sooner.

Nova Scotia has reportedly already been here wooing next year’s grads, while the province has yet to start engaging with them, but with plans to do so in December.

Brazil says that’s too late and after the fact, when most have already committed to other places that pay more and offer better incentives, adding it’s unfortunate that the province doesn’t see the value of retaining home-grown talent.

Respiratory therapists have been in particular demand throughout the pandemic since they deal mostly with breathing, lungs and airway management.