Healthcare in the Sea to Sky corridor got a boost from the provincial government this week, with an announcement that the Whistler Health Care Centre, the Pemberton Health Centre and the Squamish General Hospital will each receive $200,000 in additional funding.

The money can be used to purchase health authority-approved equipment, provide incentive for local health care workers to work weekends, holidays and night shifts and to hire additional doctors, according to a news release issued by MLA Joan McIntyre's office. The funding will ensure reliable access to emergency services is maintained at local hospitals.

"Each of these communities has different needs when it comes to public access to emergency services," McIntyre, who serves West Vancouver and the Sea to Sky, said in the release. "This boost in funding allows our health authorities to develop community-specific plans that will help ensure the long-term health and safety of families throughout the Sea to Sky region."

The release states that local physicians will work with their regional health authority to decide on how the funds will be spent.

The announcement is part of a commitment on the provincial government's part to focus on providing health care services in rural communities in B.C. — a move that follows the past creation of incentives to encourage physicians to set up, practice and reside in rural B.C.

Last July, the B.C. Liberals announced that they would be putting $10 million towards funding for up to 52 rural communities in the province, with $200,000 being the maximum amount awarded.

"I know there's been some difficulty in recruiting and retaining physicians in rural areas, and the extra financial assistance provided by the Province will ease some of those concerns by helping doctors fully cover their local hospital," said Mary McNeil, minister of Children and Family Development, at the time.