Updated was provided on the recent meeting held with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing with respect to the area seeking a competitive position for physician recruitment. A letter from the Minister was summarized for the Tri-Council. It was noted that the municipalities will seek to lobby physician recruitment at the upcoming AMO conference.
Dr. Mathews, with the Prescott Family Health Team (PFHT), spoke to the PowerPoint presentation and provided an overview of the Family Health Team (FHT), work model, services offered, patient population and locations, current issues/concerns the FHT has identified, and possible solutions. A copy of the presentation is held on file. Dr. Mathew referenced that additional support from local municipalities, such as physician/healthcare recruitment incentive packages, reduction to overhead costs, possible local hospital residency opportunities, additional health care provides, additional transportation could aid in the PFHT attracting more physicians.
The Mayors and Councillors discussed possible next steps, including providing subsidized River Route bus tickets, facility locations, life lab/testing facility, financial physician recruitment incentive packages, funding to reduce physician overhead expenses, residency programs, possible recruitment of other medical professionals, bursary programs, and continuing to work with the PFHT and Dr. Mathew to set priorities and budgets.
Further discussion was held regarding factors that attract physicians to the area, work life balance, and number of patients healthcare professionals can manage versus the number that do not have a family physician in the area.