Doctors of BC president Adam Thompson and support staff attended a health care worker recruitment and retention meeting in Port Alberni on Friday, January 9, hosted by BC Health Minister Josie Osborne in her role as MLA.
The meeting brought together physicians from the local Medical Staff Association and Division of Family Practice, local government and First Nations, and community partners to discuss how issues related to housing, Primary Care Networks, childcare, and support for physicians’ families are impacting recruitment and retention.
Results from recent health care forums at West Coast General Hospital, hosted by Doctors of BC, and successful recruitment and retention strategies from elsewhere in the province informed the discussion around mitigation strategies.
Looking forward, individuals and organizations in attendance committed to a collaborative effort to address infrastructure, essential service, and marketing gaps to attract and retain health care professionals in the Alberni Valley long term.
