Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Make up your minds ...

First they tell us we have enough doctors ... now we don't ... but in this case that's a good thing.

Because ....

S.F. area declared underserviced by family doctors

The designated area includes Smiths Falls, Perth, the townships of Montague, Rideau Lakes, Drummond-North Elmsley, Merrickville-Wolford and Tay Valley.

Todd Stepaniuk, president and chief executive officer of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, was surprised by the news when contacted by a reporter for a comment Monday afternoon.

"That's outstanding news. I was unaware of that decision," said Stepaniuk.

"It will go a long way to (support) recruiting initiatives as well as trying to stabilize our medical contingent in the area."

The designation allows the town to apply for "recruitment support components," according to the ministry letter provided to this newspaper.

Those components include a free tuition program, the community assessment visit program and participation in the ministry's annual health professionals recruitment tour.

After one year, if the community has been unsuccessful in attracting physicians, an incentive grant may be made available upon a written request.

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