The provincial government announced a new $4.2 million plan today to recruit more doctors to the province over the next four years.
The twelve-point plan includes strategies to recruit new doctors and support existing physicians.
Premier Binns advised that government is committed to ensuring an adequate supply of physicians, nurses and other health professionals in the province, now and in future. "It is a made-for-PEI plan developed in consultation with the Medical Society, the health regions, and Island medical students," he said, "New funding of $4.2 million will provide strong incentives for young Islanders to consider a career in medicine and return here to practice, while strengthening our current position in an increasingly competitive job market."
Arrangements to purchase two new medical school seats for exclusive use by PEI applicants will be pursued with Memorial University. Combined with six seats at Dalhousie and one seat in Quebec, young Islanders will now have more opportunities than ever to be accepted to medical school.
More family practice training opportunities will be created to enable up to 12 family practice residents to do part of their training in PEI each year. Through a partnership with the Dalhousie University Medical School training unit, many more family practice residents will participate in training rotations in PEI working closely with Island physicians. New funding will be made available for travel and accommodations for students and residents. Recruitment success will be enhanced by enabling prospective physician recruits to spend time working in our province with local physicians.
Specialist training opportunities will be available to family physicians who have practised in the province for two years and wish to pursue training in a specialty area of need.
New medical trainee sponsorships will provide assistance to medical students and residents in training. Trainees must agree to return to practice in the province for one year in exchange for each year they are sponsored.
A dedicated recruiter position will be created. The plan will be supported by enhanced recruitment resources for more out-of-province prospecting, advertising and marketing, and host visits.
New location grants will be provided to new physicians who agree to locate in specific areas for designated periods. Grants will be competitive with those offered by other provinces.
Relocation cost assistance will be provided to help with moving and travel expenses incurred by physicians relocating to the province.
Funding to support continuing medical education programs will enhance educational opportunities and reduce costs for new and existing physicians to maintain their skills and upgrade their knowledge.
Locum support will be enhanced through new incentives for locum physicians willing to fill temporary physician vacancies created by maternity leaves, educational absences and vacation periods. The availability of more locum physicians will make PEI a more attractive work environment and contribute to more balanced family lives for busy physicians.
Canada Student Loan assistance will be provided to medical students planning to do some practice in PEI within two years of graduation.
Finally, further consultation will be held with the College of Physicians and Surgeons to reduce barriers for international medical graduates wishing to practice temporarily in PEI, and achieve parity with other Atlantic provinces in this area.
Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover said the plan is a very comprehensive one. "It contains a balance of immediate and longer term strategies to ensure Islanders have continued access to physician services now and in future," she said, "While the strategies are very targeted, the plan is also flexible enough to enable us to meet the individual needs of physicians considering PEI as a location for their practice," she said.
Dr. Mark Triantafillou, President of The Medical Society of PEI indicated that the strategy is an important step in the right direction. "The Medical Society has received assurance that there will be joint implementation, and this will support an improved working environment for physicians."
Steven MacNeill, a fourth year medical student from Summerside, said students are pleased that government and the Medical Society are working together to address physician recruitment and retention. "The strategies outlined today are a clear indication that the province is committed to physician recruitment in both the short and long term. We look forward to continued involvement as the plan is rolled out," he said.
The minister advised that several new physicians will be coming to the Island soon to practice. "We have commitments from at least two new specialists in anaesthesia and urology, as well as at least eight locum physicians in psychiatry who will provide added coverage until October. These contracts are now being finalized and we will have more details to announce very soon," said the minister.