The town of Hearst continues to address ways to tackle its doctor shortage. There are six doctors in Hearst and health care officials say that 10 to 12 are needed for the community.
Mayor Roger Sigouin says town council made a presentation to the Ministry of Health during a recent virtual conference for more students at the two medical schools in Sudbury and Thunder Bay.
“I think that 100 students only about 50 per cent of them graduate,” he said. “So if we double it and maybe we could have 50 per cent of them graduate.”
Sigouin says it’s not just a hospital issue but involves other groups to help and make the community more inviting.
He adds that the doctor’s recruitment committee has added more members to help.
“And the action plan is going to be to go into the community and ask the people what they can do to reach and keep doctors,” he said. “If they like to go swimming, or go into nature.”
The Mayor adds that the province can’t wait too long because there will be more communities than just Hearst needing help.
