PEI spending $4.2 million to boost physician supply

The Prince Edward Island government is spending $4.2 million over the next 4 years to attract new doctors to the province. At the heart of the plan are initiatives for sending local residents away to medical school on condition that they come home to practise. "New funding of $4.2 million will provide strong incentives for young Islanders to consider a career in medicine and return here to practise, while strengthening our current position in an increasingly competitive job market," says Premier Pat Binns. FIGURE

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The 12-point plan, developed in consultation with the Medical Society of PEI, the health regions and Island medical students, includes strategies to support existing physicians, as well as recruit new ones. "It contains a balance of immediate and longer-term strategies to ensure that Islanders have continued access to physician services," says Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover.

Under the plan, the government is purchasing 2 new medical school seats at Memorial University in Newfoundland for the exclusive use of PEI applicants. This brings to 8 the total number of seats set aside for Islanders (6 seats are allotted at Dalhousie University and 1 in Quebec).

More family practice training opportunities will also be created so that as many as 12 family practice residents can do at least part of their training in PEI each year. Family physicians who have practised in the province for a minimum of 2 years will have access to specialist training opportunities, while new medical trainee sponsorships will be put in place to help medical students and residents. They must agree to return to practise in the province for 1 year in exchange for each year they are sponsored.

The provincial government is also hiring a recruiter and allocating more resources for prospecting, advertising and marketing and host visits. In addition, location grants - on a par with those offered by larger provinces - will be provided to new doctors who agree to practise in specific communities for a set period.