The Chief of Staff at Quinte Health Care is calling on Belleville to expand its family doctor recruitment program to help with the doctor shortage on staff at the hospital.
Dr. Colin MacPherson told city council Monday there are doctor “gaps” at Belleville General Hospital, which has seen a 200% increase in emergency non-urgent patients.
MacPherson said that in the five years prior to 2019 they jumped from 5,000 to 13,000 visits.
He indicated there is a current need for seven more doctors at the hospital and and more over the next few years.
He said there could be a risk for “burn out.”
Mayor Mitch Panciuk tells Quinte News that Belleville needs more healthcare workers across the board.
MacPherson said it is very hard to recruit doctors, “Nobody wants to join an overcrowded workplace,” he said.
He pointed to a concern that the city may miss an opportunity to recruit if not approached when the student doctors are ready to make a decision.
“I hope we can work in partnership for a sustainable physician recruitment,” he told council. “We are a year away from a serious problem.”
The issue was referred to staff.
