Facing a family physician shortage twice as large as the provincial average, a group of local residents has launched a $100,000 fundraising drive to recruit doctors to the Wallaceburg area.
Joan Hackett and Noelle Heyink of the Chatham-Kent Family Health team made the announcement during an interview on CKXS radio last week.
The committee, co-chaired by Greg Hetherington and Rob Watson, will begin fundraising immediately on a campaign expected to take eight weeks.
Heyink said the latest data shows that more than 35 per cent of Chatham-Kent residents are without a family physician.
“Most sources place the provincial average in the 15 to 20 per cent range, so the local need is critical,” she said. “We need to act now.”
Wallaceburg currently has three family physicians but could accommodate twice that number.
Hetherington said the six-figure goal is large but achievable.
“Anytime Wallaceburg needs to accomplish something, they always hit the target,” he said. “People see this is a need, not just for the one in three who don’t have a doctor, but for the entire community.”
He said physician recruitment is a fact of life in Ontario and has been for some time.
“We need to fundraise because that’s what it takes and we have to be on board with it. Ten years ago, Wallaceburg responded in a big way when we developed the medical centre on McNaughton Avenue.”
He said physicians coming to Wallaceburg will be required to fulfill a five-year commitment.
“I’m confident that once they see everything our community has to offer, we won’t have any problem keeping them.”
According to the Family Health Team, family physicians begin their professional careers with an average of $160,000 in school debt. They are then required to work as a resident physician making appropriately $60,000 a year from which they are expected to pay for around $5,000 in medical liability insurance as well as licensing exam fees – which can be as much as $5,000. Many go further into debt during residency.
Hackett noted that physicians trained in family medicine have several options, including working in a hospital as a hospitalist or an ER physician.
Only about 25-30 per cent of the family resident graduates choose to open an office-based practice. Physicians can make $200,000-$300,000 working full-time as hospital employees. Many hospitals are offering signing bonuses as well.
She said members of the community are stepping forward to offer free financial advice, help with housing, and other outreach services. “Our family health team will assist the doctor in setting up their practice, but there is so much more that the community can do to make doctors feel welcome.”
At present, Riversite Realty is accepting cheques (donors receive charitable receipts) and the committee is developing methods for online donations through e-transfers and credit cards.
In addition to the co-chairs, other members of the committee include Pete Allaer, Dr. Dennis Atoe, Eric Gaudrault, Kyle Charlton and Jeff Wesley.
“We have a strong group of capable people who are committed to ensuring we succeed,” Hetherington said. “I’m proud to be associated with the campaign.”
For more information on physician recruitment, visit https://ckfht.ca/
