Physician Recruitment
Posted by Bill Molesworth
Gordon Key said that early efforts in this area were very informal but recognition of increasing need and competition resulted in the formation of a task force in 1999. It has representation from the local municipalities, Mental Health, the Chamber of Commerce, the schools and concerned citizens.
The Task Force has several committees including Fundraising, Marketing, Practice Opportunities, and ER recruitment. They also work at upgrading hospital equipment in an effort to make the work environment attractive. Since 2001 16 doctors have moved to the area including 5 ER and 3 family physicians.
Our area is officially designated 'underserviced' which makes it eligible for some grants. The Committee uses the Rural Ontario program to bring doctors in for training in the hopes that some will return. They offer relocation incentives, recruitment tours, and spousal employment assistance.
Guidance counsellors work with the committee to direct people with an interest in other aspect of health care to local opportunities.
Currently they are funded through the NSHA but that money is no longer available and the Task Force is looking for assistance so it can continue its work.
The Task Force has several committees including Fundraising, Marketing, Practice Opportunities, and ER recruitment. They also work at upgrading hospital equipment in an effort to make the work environment attractive. Since 2001 16 doctors have moved to the area including 5 ER and 3 family physicians.
Our area is officially designated 'underserviced' which makes it eligible for some grants. The Committee uses the Rural Ontario program to bring doctors in for training in the hopes that some will return. They offer relocation incentives, recruitment tours, and spousal employment assistance.
Guidance counsellors work with the committee to direct people with an interest in other aspect of health care to local opportunities.
Currently they are funded through the NSHA but that money is no longer available and the Task Force is looking for assistance so it can continue its work.
Carol reported that 10,000 people in the area are still without a family physician and this number is expected to grow as doctors retire -several are close to it now. The Task Force needs help with funding, community support and in upgrading practices and equipment.
Without doctors, she said, the quality of our life style will decline and economic growth will suffer.
New grads now want to enter group practices because they provide each other with back up, they mix and match specialties, and they lower overhead. They are looking for incentives, especiallly help with their major debt loads, and a welcome into the community.
She thanked Rotary for its past support and for the support she knew would be forthcoming in the future.
Duncan thanked the pair for their report on this important work that benefited the whole community.
President Mike added his thanks for the work of this proactive and dynamic group.
Without doctors, she said, the quality of our life style will decline and economic growth will suffer.
New grads now want to enter group practices because they provide each other with back up, they mix and match specialties, and they lower overhead. They are looking for incentives, especiallly help with their major debt loads, and a welcome into the community.
She thanked Rotary for its past support and for the support she knew would be forthcoming in the future.
Duncan thanked the pair for their report on this important work that benefited the whole community.
President Mike added his thanks for the work of this proactive and dynamic group.