There is more reaction to Bruce Power’s announcement on doctor recruitment — this time from Saugeen Shores.
Mayor Mike Smith says it is great to hear that the Tiverton-based company will be contributing 500 thousand dollars over 2 years to set up their own doctor recruitment committee for his municipality and Kincardine.
He says Bruce Power has recognized that there is a real challenge for communities to keep hospitals open and recruit doctors and in turn makes it difficult for them to attract skilled workers to their facility.
Smith says it is a short-term commitment from Bruce Power but is pleased to hear that they will come to the table in helping them recruit doctors.
He says they have the professional people in their organization that are good at recruiting.
Smith says rural communities in Ontario are facing the same challenges as Saugeen Shores and Kincardine.
He cites the recent announcement by Health Force Ontario on a 30-day extension that will keep the emergency room department at the Saugeen Memorial Hospital open 24/7 as one of those challenges.
He remains optimistic about a long-term agreement but part of that will be the ability to attract and retain doctors.
President and C-E-O Duncan Hawthorne made the pledge to officials from the two municipalities at a meeting on August 31st.