Canadians unable to find a family doctor is becoming a familiar issue, with the Comox Valley trying a unique approach to attract more doctor talent. (Freepik)

By Jordan Davidson

whats up doc?

Recruitment drive successful in bringing new family doctors to the Comox Valley

Jun 7, 2022 | 4:33 PM

COURTENAY —The Comox Valley is seeing success in bringing new family doctors thanks to a collaborative recruitment task force.

Comox city councillor Dr. Jonathan Kerr is part of the recruitment drive and said they’ve already brought in five new doctors who have been practicing since January, with another six coming later this year.

“It’s really exciting for the community that so many doctors are coming and I know we’ve been able to attach 4,136 patients to a new family doctor since last July, so we are on the right track.”

Kerr said they also have 14 other family doctors who are considering making a move to the Island.

While their focus is on family doctors for now, he said they will expand out to other specialties in the future.

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“We know having more family doctors in a community allows for a better health care system in terms of people having the safety and security knowing that someone is looking after their health, and they are the gatekeepers to a lot of the services and specialists we have in the area.”

The Comox Valley family physician recruitment and retention task force is made up of local government, business and health representatives

Kerr said combining all the local resources made sure they could provide a complete package when trying to recruit physicians from elsewhere.

“We’re looking at ways to roll out the red carpet when doctors come to town, find a place for them to live, and really make sure they feel welcomed and excited about practicing in the best place in Canada,” Kerr said.

He said it’s hard to tell exactly how many doctors will be enough to fill the need, as the population of the Comox Valley keeps changing.

There also may be some physicians currently working in the area who may be holding off retirement until there is a replacement.

“It’s hard to pin down an exact number, but the number is right when everyone in the Comox Valley has a family doctor and people aren’t out there looking for a family doctor, crowding the emergency rooms and walk-in clinics. That’s when we know we’ll reach our goal.”

Kerr said some of the new doctors in the area brought along their young families and expect most, if not all of them to be staying for the long term.

There are also a number of other options for Island residents without a family doctor who may need to seek medical care.

The Nexus Primary Care Clinic in Nanaimo is staffed with registered nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers and mental health clinicians and opened in June of 2020, along with another similar nurse practitioner clinic that opened in Oceanside earlier this year.

— with files from 97.3 FM The Eagle

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow