Multiple groups within Prince Edward County have formed the County Docs Physician Retention and Recruitment program.
The program is aimed at addressing the shortage of physicians in the area.
The group was formed by The County, the Prince Edward Family Health Organization, the Prince Edward Family Health Team, the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation and Quinte Health.
In a joint press release, County Docs says a shortages of physicians, a decline in enrolment in family medicine and the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic have all led to a critical shortage of family physicians.
“In the past, there were few challenges in finding new physicians to take over practices from those leaving or retiring. However, given a perfect storm of fewer medical graduates in family medicine, an aging physician workforce and a growing and aging population, this is no longer the case,” said Dr. Anne Nancekievill with the Prince Edward Family Health Team in a press release.
“We currently have 18 family doctors serving a population of over 25,000 people. It is not enough.”
County Docs says there are currently five physician vacancies in The County with three more expected in 2023.
The program is being led by Adam Hambly, who was hired in mid-July of 2022 to address the recruitment crisis.
Hambly is credited with the early success “of a new recruitment and retention strategy that is based on reducing barriers for prospective physicians.”
“We have to think about a whole package of offerings for new physicians,” said Hambly in a press release.
“Our goal is to not only make Prince Edward County a top choice for new physician recruits but also a place where physicians want to stay. Retention of our current and future physicians is as equally important as recruiting them here.”
One strategy that is already underway is the partnership between County Docs and The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation to launch the Physician Recruitment and Retention Fund.
This will allow members of the public to contribute.
Those interested in making a donation can contact Shannon Coull at 613-476-1008 ext 4503, email info@pecmhf.ca, or visit pecmhf.ca and select ‘donate.’
Donors will not receive preferential treatment in securing a family physician.
More information on County Docs’ strategy is expected to be shared in February with the launch of a new website.
Medical students or family physicians who are interested in learning more information about County Docs can contact Adam Hambly at info@countydocs.ca
