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160309 Physician Recruitment MIN= Attendance Chair and Deputy Mayor Dave Beres, Dr. Howard Lamb, Dr. Gerry Rowland, Dr. Mohamed Abdalla, Mayor Stephen Molnar, Crystal Houze, David Calder, Lana White Regrets: Councillor Penny Esseltine 1. Call to Order – 12:06pm 2. Adoption of Agenda Moved By: Dr. Rowland Seconded By: Dr. Lamb THAT the Agenda as prepared for the meeting of March 9, 2016, be adopted. ‘Carried’ 3. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest None 4. Meeting Notes – February 29, 2016 The meeting notes from February 29th were recapped, noting again that Councillor Esseltine was appointed by Council to this Committee, to replace Councillor Adam. Dr. Rowland had provided helpful information at the meeting on the 29th. He made it very clear that when a patient is seen in a walk-in clinic for instance, the patient’s regular physician pays for that. He also explained that a family physician that is not full-time is considered one spot by the Ministry of Health. The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Physician Recruitment and Retention March 9, 2016 12:00pm Annex Board Room, Corporate Office 200 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 5A7 MINUTES Physician Recruitment and Retention - March 9, 2016 - 2 - It was noted that the Town’s role is to work closely with the physician offices to provide health care to the people who live here, and to attract people. The Town wants to help. The public is generally not aware of how payment to walk-in clinics work, and these types of things need to be clarified. Chair Beres read a statement that C.Houze had prepared and provided. Discussion was held regarding preparing a press release, as follow-up to the article written in January. A correction to the notes from the 29th. The average age of family doctors in Tillsonburg is 54 not 53. The average age of persons in Ontario is 43. Mayor Molnar asked for the average age of patients in Tillsonburg. It was noted that the list of physicians attached to the meeting notes from February 29th was incorrect. A revised list was provided. 5. General Business i) Walk-in Clinics – Definition and how it affects Family Physicians This was discussed (above) and that information should be made available to the public. ii) Press Release Discussion was held about preparation a Press Release, perhaps a status report that celebrates and understand the challenges, and progress. Dr. Lamb noted that he had been unable to attend the previous meeting and reflected on the issues at hand. More full-time doctors are needed in town. Until recently, when offices needed new doctors, they recruited. We need to convince the Ministry of Health that we are not over-serviced. A walk-in clinic is not the issue. It may decrease some of the numbers going to emerg but that may not even be the case. Physician Recruitment and Retention - March 9, 2016 - 3 - It was suggested that we rally the community to lobby. A meeting was promised to us in the fall of last year, to have Tillsonburg reassessed. C.Houze noted that she had been told last week that we will be on the high needs list. LHINS did put our name forward to be high needs. At this point, this is unofficial though. Discussion was held regarding what to do when we do received the official letter. Dr. Rowland also noted the existing facilities are full, so perhaps offices could add on or time shift. Perhaps clinics could have more than one location. The priority at this time is Dr. Rowland’s office. Discussion was held regarding Mayor Molnar preparing a letter to the Minister. iii) Physician Recruitment Coordinator Discussion was held regarding a profession recruiter than can shop universities and go around. C. Houze responded recruiters do exist. Welland has the same model as Chatham. They have a coordinator that goes out to meet with schools. It was noted that a recruiter would be helpful, however in some ways not very successful. Also noted, there is a group in Vancouver that specialises in bringing in international graduates. A network group between the BIA, Chamber and Town was briefly discussed, where projects can be handed off. There are resources and people that could give value. Perhaps there is a conduit to use the Chamber or BIA to get the spouse of a new doctor involved in the community. We would then be prepared to officer something to the recruit, as well as opportunities for the spouse. Physician Recruitment and Retention - March 9, 2016 - 4 - A full inventory of assets would be helpful. Perhaps part of the new model would be using some of the resources we already have. We could work with real estate, the Chamber, BIA, the Town’s Development Commissioner, etc. iv) Next Steps Perhaps by the next meeting (April 30) we will have official information from LHINS. A press release could be prepared for the first part of April, incorporating comments from C.Houze, as well as a motion from the medical staff. C.Houze to provide a list of residents that currently do not have a family doctor. A centralized community waiting list was discussed. People visiting emerg could be asked if they want to be put on a waiting list. Between now and March 30th, and into April, we need to identify two or three actionable items that are being worked on. C.Houze to email Jane this afternoon. 6. Next Meeting – March 30 at 12:00noon 7. Adjournment Moved By: C.Houze THAT the March 9, 2016 meeting be adjourned at 1:03pm. Physician Recruitment & Retention Information Sharing February 29, 2016 - 4:00pm Council Chambers Those in Attendance: Dr. Rowland, Mayor Molnar, Deputy Mayor Beres, C. Houze, L. White 1. Physician Recruitment Committee Background Questions and Information The Deputy Mayor recapped the purpose of the meeting, noting Councillor Esseltine had replaced Councillor Adam on the Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee. Dr. Rowland provided some background information and explained how family physician allocations are sometimes filled with doctors that are not full-time. He noted that new doctors are reluctant to sign up long term in Ontario for various reasons, and new doctors often don’t want to work full time. He has approached the Ministry of Health to try to make 2 part-time doctors be considered as 1 full- time rather than 2. The Ministry has said underserviced areas can compete. It’s important for recruitment efforts to continue in Tillsonburg, and not to rely on the Oxford group. Dr. Rowland noted that if we look at what Oxford County needs, what we need here in Tillsonburg is about the same. Average age of patients is about 53. Province wide is 43 as of the end of January this year. It was also noted that it’s up to each family health organization (FHO) to do its own recruiting. There are currently 14 family physicians practicing in Tillsonburg. The Tillsonburg Medical Clinic has two vacant FHO positions. Tillsonburg Medical Centre – 8 physicians  Dr. B. Chowdhury  Dr. L. Dalby  Dr. D. Dockx  Dr. T. Hainer  Dr. H. Lamb  Dr. B. Roth  Dr. J. Sohal  Dr. D. Zwarynski Tillsonburg Medical Clinic – 4 physicians  Dr. G. Rowland  Dr. R. Caperchione  2 Vacant FHO Positions Tillsonburg Family Physicians – 4 physicians  Dr. J. Andrew  Dr. J. Cluett  Dr. B. Holowachuk  Dr. A. Sohla C.Houze provided a handout – TDMH New Hospital Appointments.(attached) Discussion was held about incentives and what we can do to be more attractive. Cash incentive programs in most centres have been dropped because doctors stay for the incentive and then leave. Assisting with spousal relocation would be helpful in many cases. The Committee is working with the Chamber on that. Cash assistance would also be helpful as well, funds to pay relocation costs. New doctors want a turnkey office with experienced physicians. Dr. Rowland clarified the y can set up a fee for service office, but they weren’t trained for a fee for service office. We offer them all that and 30% and they still don’t want it. Some of them say London is too far to drive. Many new doctors want to stay close to the city, where there are specialists. It was noted that some recruits only work in emerg. With respect to health care alternatives like walk-in clinics or community health centres with nurse practitioners and other health care specialists, those work for occasion renewals, but not long term care. It was noted that when a patient is seen in a walk -in clinic for instance, the patient’s regular physician pays for that. 70% of patients seen in emerg are not emerg cases. In the next 5 years, about 28 new doctors will be needed. The average is 2 recruits per year. It was noted that there was no recruitment tour held in October 2015. Discussion was held regarding preparation of a press release. C.Houze is working with Shane Curtis regarding. She will draft something. Dr. Rowland to also provide draft comments to be included. Suggestion was to bring forward a motion at the next medical staff meeting, supporting recruitment. A press release to be ready following the March 9th Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee meeting.