With thousands of community members currently in need of a family doctor, a local health team is launching a fundraising campaign to bring more physicians to the town of Wallaceburg.
The Chatham-Kent Family Health Team (CKFHT) is now accepting donations and other support to provide physicians with an incentive to move to Wallaceburg and set up a practice at the Wallaceburg Community Medical Centre.
According to health team officials, many communities use financial incentives to attract physicians, who typically accrue significant debt during medical school and residency. With hospitals offering $200,000 to $300,000 in annual salaries, only around 25-30 per cent of physicians choose to open an office-based practice.
Recruiters with CKFHT are hoping to raise $100,000 during their eight-week recruitment campaign.
“We know it’s aggressive but Wallaceburg has demonstrated on numerous occasions just how much they value family medicine, value the local hospital, and value an opportunity to be a community that looks after one another,” said CKFHT Board Chair Joan Hacket.
Health team officials estimate that there are around 30,000 residents in Chatham-Kent who do not have a family doctor.
“That’s a significant issue for people to manage their health,” said Hacket. “We hear from physicians that work in the Wallaceburg hospital just how dire the situation is.”
The Wallaceburg Community Medical Centre can support up to six physician practices in its facility with three vacancies.
Those interested in donating to the recruitment fundraiser are encouraged to drop off cheques at Riversite Realty on James Street in Wallaceburg. An online system for submitting donations electronically with be available in the coming weeks.