Representatives from Owen Sound and Georgian Bluffs are working to attract enough doctors to meet the needs of the region.
A group of officials from the two communities met with Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones during the ROMA conference this week.
They explained how it’s more challenging for rural areas to to attract enough doctors.
Mayor Ian Boddy and Deputy Mayor Scott Greig of Owen Sound, along with Mayor Sue Carleton and Councillor Isaac Shouldice of Georgian Bluffs asked for support to attract and retain Family Physicians to the area. They said physician recruitment requires support from more stakeholders than just the municipality.
“Our meeting was productive, and we were pleased that Georgian Bluffs could join our delegation meeting with Hon. Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health. Our message was unified that our citizens simply need more doctors. To do that, the County and municipality need more tools and resources from the Province to bring those doctors to Owen Sound and the surrounding area to provide access to everyday primary care,” said Mayor Ian Boddy.
The Owen Sound Family Health Team currently needs three to four full time family physicians. A recent letter from the health team also said six more doctors will be needed to replace those who will leave over the next few years.
