ST. PAUL - The issue of health professional recruitment was recently brought up during the Oct. 10 County of St. Paul council meeting that saw Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr discuss a variety of issues with the local municipality.
County of St. Paul CAO Sheila Kitz listed examples where a lack of healthcare staff have had an impact on the community, including temporary closures of health services such as emergency, surgery, and obstetrics in St. Paul.
Cyr said there are doctors going through the “system right now... earmarked for our region,” and, “I’m curious what’s holding that up.”
According to Cyr, northern Alberta is looking at around 23 to 40 per cent vacancy rates for doctors, and having a more precise understanding as to why would help with finding a solution.
Efforts from the provincial government include hiring foreign graduates, “But it takes them a while getting into the country,” acknowledged Cyr. He also said rural Alberta needs to train more rural students to increase retention rate.
It’s not easy to find an ultimate solution to the issue, said Cyr, “So, give me a little more time.”
Check out the next edition of Lakeland This Week for more coverage of the County's discussion with the MLA.
