By Cecilia Nasmith
When it comes to value for the buck, representatives of the West Northumberland Physician Retention and Recruitment Committee say it would be hard to beat the $6,100 Alnwick-Haldimand Township chips into their budget each year.
Director of physician recruitment Maria Gomez and chair (and Port Hope representative) Gerald Blackstock made their case at Thursday's council meeting, in advance of the township finalizing its 2020 budget.
It's a unique group, Blackstock said, funded by five municipalities that join together to produce exceptional results. Even more exceptional is the fact that the amount they ask for annually hasn't changed for some years.
That may not be the case next year, Gomez said, as exceptional challenges lie ahead.
While the recruitment committee has been successful in recruiting 10 family physicians in the past few years, these efforts will actually have to intensify as 55% of the community's family physicians are over the age of 55 (and 30% of these physicians are over the age of 60).
Ensuring these patient loads of 800 to 1,200 per doctor are covered is especially difficult, given the older demographics of the area – meaning more patients with more complex conditions. It may not remain possible to cover one retiring physicians caseload with one replacement physician in some instances.
As well, this area has not yet qualified for some of the financial assistance that other areas we are in competition with have acquired – areas like Haliburton, Peterborough, Quinte West and Belleville.
Gomez also shared some of the successes of the past year, such as 18 tours for prospective physicians and the launch of marketing platforms for social media.
“About 60% of those looking for job opportunities will search their web devices,” Gomez said.
They have raised the community's profile by attending different events, she added.
“Now people can actually, 'West Northumberland – we know where that is.”
The area's wonderful social events and festivities are an attraction, and the quality of living is wonderful for physicians with families. They also appreciate the opportunity for leadership and collaboration with other senior physicians.
“It seems to me the doctors who have been brought on are very happy to be here,” commented Acting Mayor Gail Latchford – who sites on the committee on behalf of Alnwick-Haldimand Township.
Blackstock agreed.
“We believe the greatest attribute Northumberland offers is lifestyle, so our retention rate has been very good,” he said.
