A physician recruitment initiative helped bring four doctors to Chatham-Kent last year.
A report going before council at Monday night’s meeting outlines that the new family doctors were recruited to Wallaceburg, Chatham, Blenheim, and Wheatley in 2025.
Of the $120,000 from the fund that was used, $100,000 supported physician recruitment incentives, while $20,000 went to the Blenheim Health Hub as a matched grant to expand clinical space for new physician offices.
Council approved the physician incentive program in November 2024 to support local doctor recruitment. The initiative established a reserve of $140,000 per year, totaling $420,000 through 2027, with funding tied to a service commitment of up to five years.
The remaining $300,000 will be available in 2026 and 2027, with the next council deciding whether to continue the program as part of the regular budget for 2028–2031.