Huron-Kinloss council

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The Wingham area is under-serviced by five doctors and Jan McKague-Weishar wants to change that situation.

The new recruitment officer for the Wingham and Area Health Professionals Recruitment Committee spoke to Huron-Kinloss council Monday night (June 7) about what the committee is doing and its goals for bringing more physicians to work at the Wingham hospital.

The volunteer committee consists of community, municipal and hospital representatives concerned with the current state of available health care providers in the community.

"We need to retain the over-worked doctors we have," she said, "and attract new physicians to the area."

She said 25 per cent of patients using the Wingham Hospital emergency room do not have a family physician. "We must maintain ER coverage to protect the future of our local hospital. A small pool of physicians and locums cover the majority of ER shifts. We need to expand that pool or face the possibility of burn-out."

McKague-Weishar said there is a national and provincial shortage of physicians. This means fierce competition from neighbouring communities, as well as throughout the province, for family doctors. "We have to set Wingham and area apart from the competition and market our assets. Community support and awareness are essential."

She, as the new physician recruiter, is the single point of co-ordinated contact, representing the Wingham community, to attract new physicians to Wingham. Therefore, she needs to make sure this community is well-known by physicians who are seeking a practice.

"We need to be everywhere," she said, "health care professional trade shows, conferences, medical publications, medical schools, websites. Otherwise, how will they know Wingham exists?"

Wingham must continue to host doctor appreciation events as a retention measure, to thank the physicians currently working in the area, for their dedication. "We must encourage and follow up with local medical students to promote rural health care and a return home to practise."

McKague-Weishar said that in March, Dr. James Shuffield joined the North Huron Family Health Team. He is the first new doctor in Wingham in six years. On Aug. 1, the community welcomes Dr. Ravi Rameswak, general surgeon, replacing Dr. Omole who is retiring.

However, the competition is fierce, as other communities ante up to attract doctors, she said.

Kincardine offers a $100,000 signing bonus. Walkerton offers administration salary paid for one year, valued at $35,000-plus. Guelph offers $15,000 for relocation, repayable over four years. Elliot Lake and Belleville offer $100,000 signing bonuses. Hastings County offers $25,000 per year tuition for medical school or residency for a five-year return of service.

Jan McKague-Weishar

Councillor Lillian Abbott asked about the opportunity to hire nurse practitioners.

"We are looking for one right now," said McKague-Weishar. "We have available positions for two."

The province pays part of the funding for nurse practitioners as part of a Family Health Team, she said.

As for incentives, she said that since she took over in November, the Wingham incentive package has been spruced up to include a year's worth of dentistry. 

Also, she said, the Ontario Ministry of Health has changed the guidelines for rural areas compared to larger centres like Stratford. However, the guidelines have yet to be released.

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Tuesday, June 08, 2010