Two more doctors leaving P.E.I., including one of only two plastic surgeons in the province
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Two extra medical specialists are leaving Prince Edward Island, together with one in all solely two plastic surgeons practising within the province.
Well being P.E.I. has confirmed plastic surgeon Joseph Corkum will probably be departing this spring.
The answering machine at Corkum’s workplace confirmed his apply will probably be closing as of April 21, 2023.
The P.E.I. Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons lists Corkum and Gary McLean as the 2 licensed plastic surgeons on P.E.I. Their database additionally lists Michael Bezuhly as a visiting guide, additionally licensed as a plastic surgeon within the province.
How massive is the demand for plastic surgeons on P.E.I.?
- Between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, P.E.I.’s two plastic surgeons handled 224 sufferers.
Supply: Well being P.E.I.
Dr. Jacquelyn Corkum, a household doctor who can be listed as a specialist in sports activities and train medication, may also be departing. The 2 are married.
Well being P.E.I. confirmed Dr. Jacquelyn Corkum doesn’t at present carry a affected person load.
SaltWire Community tried to succeed in Dr. Corkum at his workplace on Feb. 13 however didn’t obtain a response.
Invoice Campbell, a affected person of Corkum, stated he was knowledgeable of his plastic surgeon’s departure throughout a go to earlier in February.
Campbell had waited two years to see a plastic surgeon to deal with a tendon situation in his left hand. He stated he was referred to Corkum by his household physician, Kris Saunders. Saunders left his apply final summer time, which suggests Campbell now not has a household physician or a plastic surgeon.
“He did my left hand,” Campbell stated. “I stated, ‘OK nicely, are you able to do my proper hand?’ He stated, ‘nicely I am leaving on April fifth.’ ‘I stated when will you be again?’ He stated, ‘I am leaving for good.'”
Campbell added Corkum will attempt to see him once more to deal with his proper hand however there isn’t a assure.
“Everyone seems to be up in arms concerning the well being system and the medical doctors leaving.” – Invoice Campbell
Campbell stated he was advised the pair could be leaving to work in a hospital in Halifax. SaltWire Community has not been capable of verify that data.
Departures of household physicians and specialists have generated excessive public curiosity over the past 12 months because the province’s health-care system grapples with staffing challenges within the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are at present 27,417 Islanders who lack a household physician or main caregiver; tons of extra usually are not listed on the registry however are awaiting a alternative after the departure of their household physician in latest months.
On Feb. 7, Summerside household Dr. Hal McRae introduced to his 2,100 sufferers he could be leaving his apply.
The province can be dealing with a extreme scarcity of nurses and a difficult recruiting setting for different well being staff.
“Everyone seems to be up in arms concerning the well being system and the medical doctors leaving,” Campbell stated.
Regardless of years of warnings from clinicians and physicians, the province lacks a succession plan to information the province’s well being care recruitment efforts over the approaching years throughout anticipated retirements and a rising inhabitants.
The Division of Well being and Wellness has contracted a well being information specialist to finish a examine of health-care staffing wants over the subsequent 5 and 10 years.
Well being P.E.I. spokesperson Everton McLean confirmed the province is actively recruiting a alternative plastic surgeon.
Stu Neatby is a political reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. He will be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @stu_neatby.
