CHAT News File Photo

By Darren Rathwell

Appeal to local politicians for aid in doctor recruitment

Feb 8, 2022 | 12:27 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A health-care advocacy group is making an appeal to local politicians to do more to attract family doctors to the region.

The Palliser Friends of Medicare says local access to health care is inadequate, and some residents are having issues getting a family doctor.

The group wants Medicine Hat city council and Redcliff town council to help bring back a committee that was geared towards recruitment and retention of doctors.

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The committee was formed in 2015 and then dissolved.

But the Palliser Friends of Medicare says if current trends continue, the shortage of family doctors will only get worse, as some doctors retire and others decide to work fewer hours.

“We’re going to see more and more people going to walk-in clinics and we’re going to see a bigger strain on our citizens, our emergency department and our hospitals. And it’s going to be harder and harder on our citizens to maintain their good health,” says Diane MacNaughton, chapter chair of the Palliser Friends of Medicare.

Members of Medicine Hat city council told CHAT News on Monday no discussions have been held yet on forming another doctor recruitment and retention committee.