NDP wonders if new physician recruitment agency is working in Sask

By Sarah Mills

paNOW Staff

The NDP is asking just what the new physician recruitment agency is doing when doctor vacancies in the province are actually rising.
 
Health critic Judy Junor points out there were 84 doctor openings in 2007, now that sits at 119.
 
“The Wall government's much-hyped agency has been in place for months and all they have done is spent $200,000 of taxpayers' dollars on furniture.” said Junor.
 
The group was established to work with communities and health regions in retaining and attracting GPs, particularly in rural areas.
 
Health Minister Don McMorris insists that is being done.
 
“It has been in contact with the health regions working with them on their recruitment efforts, working with communities that have had success to disseminate that for communities that are struggling and greeting the new immigrant doctors, so they transition is an easy one for them,” said McMorris.
 
And he adds there has already been a 13 per cent increase in the number of physicians working here and he expects the recruitment agency to keep working successfully in that area.

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