Atlantic premiers plan to launch regional doctor registry
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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Atlantic Canadian physicians trying to practise inside the area in neighbouring provinces will not be saddled with the identical paperwork or extra licensing necessities as earlier than attributable to a brand new registry anticipated to launch within the subsequent couple of months.
The Atlantic doctor registry was one of many bulletins on Feb. 20 from the Council of Atlantic Premiers assembly in Charlottetown.
The council is comprised of P.E.I. Premier Dennis King, and premiers Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador, Blaine Higgs of New Brunswick and Tim Houston of Nova Scotia.
The registry, which might provide multi-jurisdictional licensing to enhance doctor mobility within the area, is anticipated to launch on Might 1.
King, additionally the brand new chair of the Council of Atlantic Premiers, mentioned it was arduous to say what number of extra docs P.E.I. may see working within the province because of the registry.
However he did be aware that of the 40 new docs recruited in 2021, over half did work in P.E.I. beforehand after which opted to return again.
“So, anytime there’s mobility, particularly for a small jurisdiction like Prince Edward Island, and I’d say for all of our Atlantic provinces, that it actually will increase the alternatives for physicians to return right here,” mentioned King. “Nothing that we do in well being is a magic bullet that can simply miraculously repair all the pieces, however I feel this is only one small little factor that retains us transferring ahead and can make a distinction, not simply right now however into the long run.”
Physician recruitment
The premiers additionally mentioned overseas recruitment of well being professionals and methods to expediate licensing for physicians who wish to work in Atlantic Canada, mentioned King.
Furey, additionally a medical physician and orthopedic trauma surgeon, mentioned that physicians journey on a regular basis inside Canada for work. He defined that, for instance, if he went to Alberta to work as a locum or a brief alternative doctor, it will take him a month to do the paperwork.
“We’re making an attempt to eliminate the paperwork component,” he mentioned.
Different subjects that the premiers mentioned included entry to housing, regional air journey and the latest Bell 911 outage.
King additionally spoke concerning the $49 million in new elevated federal funding for P.E.I. for well being care. He mentioned that funding shall be used for continued funding in packages resembling Pharmacy Plus, psychological well being and addictions, and well being human sources.
“As most Islanders and Atlantic Canadians know, there is no finish for the necessity of continued funding in well being care,” he mentioned.
Terrence McEachern is a reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. He will be reached by e mail at [email protected] and will be adopted on Twitter @terry_mcn.
