Thank you, Quadra!
The Quadra Island Health Society surpassed its fundraising goal of $50,000 in just two weeks. That is a mighty achievement and everyone’s generosity should be recognized.
A professional recruiter costs $40,000 and we now have the cash to cover that in addition to overheads (payment to the Quadra Island Foundation), transition (while we hopefully move from one practitioner to another) and of course contingencies (the just in case fund).
We have interviewed some potential doctors and as soon as we have positive news, we will share that.
QIHS also has had interest from some potential nurse practitioners, but Island Health mandates that we need a doctor in the office for a NP to be able to work. This is just one more incentive to get someone in place soon.
While we love Quadra and cannot understand why doctors aren’t hammering on our doors, we are told by Island Health and recruitment firms that few doctors are attracted to rural family practice. New doctors are often looking for support and education with teaching hospitals. Others are looking for work life balance and don’t want to commit to a full-time practice.
And of course we all know the barrier of the cost of housing here. A big thank you to the people who do have properties that they have said they could rent to a doctor for a long or short time. Some municipalities have been able to provide subsidized rent or housing itself; others are recruiting doctors themselves. We are trying to fit in the patchwork.
The reality is that there is a Canada-wide shortage of doctors and Island Health alone has postings for more than 70 doctors.
QIHS is still optimistic we will be able to keep the clinic open after Dr Hughes leaves in September, and we know we have the support of our community behind us.