November 25, 2005

By: Daniel Mark Wheaton

The government is over 60 per cent sure it will have the number of family physicians it says Prince Edward Island needs within the next few months, Health Minister Chester Gillan said during question period on Nov. 23.

Gillan said the province has filled 77.3 of the 83.6 family physician positions the government believes are required, with recruitment continuing.

“Of those six vacant positions, we have at least 63 per cent probability that in the next few months those six positions are going to be filled.”

Gillan said he was pleased with the province’s recruitment efforts.

“We’re very content with the fact that we are fortunate to have 77 in the family practice.”

Opposition Leader Robert Ghiz argued the government’s target of 83.6 physicians was too low to meet Islanders’ health-care needs and said the province was failing even to meet its own objective.

“I am not content with that number.”

Ghiz said Islanders and family physicians also shared his concerns.

“It’s time that this government stop being content.”

He said the province should be aiming for approximately 93 family physicians, a figure he said reflected recommendations from the Medical Society of P.E.I. for an appropriate patient load.

Ghiz also argued that more needed to be done to encourage Island medical students to return home to practise medicine after completing their education.

“This minister believes that sending out Christmas cards to people in medical schools is a physician recruitment strategy.”

Gillan defended the government’s approach, saying officials use every available method to stay in contact with medical students.

“We will use any and all means to keep in contact with medical students.”

He added that Prince Edward Island recruits physicians from across Canada as well as internationally.

“We continually look outside of Canada.”

Gillan said the province had successfully recruited physicians from countries including Egypt, South Africa, Ireland and Great Britain.

Following question period, Ghiz said Prince Edward Island needed to establish a residency program to improve physician recruitment.

“We don’t have enough contact with our medical students.”

He noted that P.E.I. was the only province in Canada without its own residency program.