NHS Puts Out the Welcome Mat
- July 2002
It is a struggle that is going on across North America, but in Niagara, the hard work of the Niagara Health System's physician recruiter is paying off. By July, eight new specialists will have arrived in Niagara to hang up their shingle.
One of the most significant areas where recruitment has been successful has been in the Department of Surgery. A new General Surgeon started at the Niagara Falls Site in May, and one will begin in July in St. Catharines. Two Emergency Physicians, one full-time and one part-time, will begin working in Welland in July.
An Otolaryngologist (Ear Nose and Throat Specialist) is starting in Niagara Falls in June, as is an Ophthalmologist (Eye Specialist) for Welland in July. St. Catharines will have a third Rheumatologist, also arriving in July and an Anaesthetist for Niagara Falls will also be starting in July.
"We expect to be making some more announcements about specialists over the next few months, and we are quite keen to keep up the momentum," Ms. Hatcher said. "Niagara is a unique geographical area that is quite attractive to young professionals starting a family, and that opportunity for a relaxed lifestyle is appealing."
To aid the NHS in continued successful recruitment, a formal clinical teaching unit is now being planned in conjunction with McMaster University. "We have some student physicians coming through our sites now on an informal basis, and we want to expand on that with McMaster and also with Toronto and London medical schools," she said.
"We have made physician recruitment a number one priority and we are putting a lot of energy into this," said Dr. William Shragge, NHS Chief of Staff. "The candidates we are recruiting recognize this quickly. The fact that we are future-focussed and engaged in strategic planning signals real opportunity for specialists coming in."
One of the main advantages Niagara has to offer to specialists is that there is already "a very solid group of physicians here," Dr. Shragge said. "Candidates want to know who their colleagues will be."
The NHS is focussing on recruiting much-needed specialists, and is continuing to work hand-in-hand with the region's physician recruiter to bring family physicians here as well. "It is easier to recruit family physicians when they know we can offer good strong specialist support for their practices," Ms. Hatcher said.
"We are trying to make the hospital environment a more friendly interface for family physicians," Dr. Shragge said. "We are supporting our communities' efforts and looking at the areas of hospital privileges, offering office space within our hospitals, and remuneration. Those are just some of the opportunities on the table."
Still on the wish list for Niagara are more Emergency Physicians, Internists, Paediatricians, Pathologists, Radiologists and Psychiatrists.
"As everyone knows, there are considerable challenges facing the NHS at this stage of our growth, but there are also tremendous opportunities," said Dr. Shragge. "The specialists coming here obviously see great opportunities for themselves professionally, as well as their spouses and families."