Belleville’s Physician Recruitment program has exceeded even the most optimistic of hopes and city staff
hope council will approve an increase to this year’s budget to reach the program’s goal.
Three-and-a-half-years ago at the start of council’s term it was estimated that Belleville needed 30 new family
doctors over the next five to ten years to clear up any backlog of patients waiting for a physician.
With 27 physicians signing on to the program since 2022 the goal has almost been meet.
On Monday, council will be asked to add another $160,000 to the 2026 budget to be able to recruit
three more doctors, as well as two nurse practitioners and two specialists.
The money would be taken from the Automated Speed Enforcement reserve fund.
Physicians recruited through the program will be starting their practices at various times over the next
few years.
Under Belleville’s program, a family doctor receives five $30,000 payments for a total of $150,000,
a specialist receives three payments of $25,000 for a total of $75,000, and a nurse practitioner is
granted two payments of $5,000 for a total of $10,000.
Since the program began in 2007 more than 70 family physicians, specialists, or nurse practitioners
have been recruited.
See the entire staff report here.
