The Pembina Physicians Recruitment and Retention Committee (PPRRC) says they are becoming “gravely concerned” about the number of family physicians in the community.
Pat Jeffery, the president of the committee, says in the past six weeks there have been announcements from several doctors about their plans to leave the field. At the Malone Clinic, Dr. Peyton and his wife Dr. Beacom are both planning to retire. At the Claro Clinic, Dr. Froud will be leaving. There is also a doctor moving from the Claro Clinic to the Shale Clinic, but she is reducing her hours.
Advisory processes are slow admits mounting concern
Jeffery says this is something the committee has been concerned about for the last couple of years. They’ve had it brought to their attention that a number of doctors are considering retirement.
“It’s interesting how difficult it is to get an exact number,” says Jeffery of the physicians who plan to leave their practice, “but there have been physicians leaving. We can say that with certainty based on the last two or three years.”
She says they’ve been working with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to advise them of the situation, but it’s a slow process. “We know there’s a timeline there. It’s not an overnight process,” says Jeffery.
While the PPRRC works to attract doctors to the community by giving them tours and advertising the benefits of the area, they are not involved in the recruitment or hiring of physicians. To fill the positions, they have to rely on AHS.
“AHS is the one that in the end determines how many physicians are needed, and then they undertake the recruitment process,” says Jeffery.
The bottom line doctor numbers are down
Currently, Jeffery says AHS does not feel there is a need for more physicians in the area. She says this can be because they have not yet received paperwork from those who have been talking about retirement or moving on.
Right now, Jeffery says the clinics and the hospital have been able to make it work. However, the committee is not sure how long that can last.
“Bottom line,” says Jeffery, “we have fewer doctors.”
A few years ago they were able to bring two physicians in because of shortages in Breton. The doctors spend part of their time in Breton as part of their contract.
“We were able to get the attention of AHS for that,” says Jeffery.
She’s hoping they’ll be able to do the same for the Drayton area sooner rather than later.
Besides the family physicians, there are shortages in the Cancer Care Clinic at the hospital, says Jeffery. AHS was hoping to have the clinic reopened in May, but is currently struggling to find doctors that are willing to fill the role.
Low numbers have resulted in temporary closures
The clinic was shut down in December when the two oncologists there left the hospital. It has always been said the closure was temporary, but residents are becoming concerned.
Another issue, says Jeffery, is a nurse shortage at the hospital. Several recent departures from the hospital staff have required the closure of six beds in the Acute Care Unit.
Jeffery says one of the things the committee has been trying to do to alleviate the problem is to focus on retaining the doctors that are currently practising here. This involves showing them community appreciation, such as visiting the clinics and bringing lunches or gift baskets.
They also work as lobbyists for the community. She says they’ve put together a sub-committee, called the Health Action Committee (HAC), with representatives from the Town, County, and Breton. MLA Mark Smith was also invited to join the committee, with the hopes that he will be able to bring more attention to the issue in Drayton.
“We’ve been meeting quite regularly,” says Jeffery. The three areas of concern – the physicians, cancer clinic, and nurse shortage – were all brought forward by residents to members of the HAC.
Jeffery says with HAC they are hoping to speed up the process of replacing the physicians who are leaving. “The reality is there won’t be a replacement for June or July,” she says.
While the committee is working hard to bring their concerns to AHS, Jeffery says residents can help. She says the best way to do this is to write letters to Town and County councillors, along with MLA Mark Smith.
She says AHS receives a significant amount of letters expressing concerns, and one person’s concern might go unnoticed. However, by addressing the concerns to a representative, they will be able to have more effect. These representatives can then bring the concerns forward to AHS and other government officials as well.
