Niagara Falls attracted 8 doctors last year, the most since the region started recruiting, so far it's 4 this year
City of Niagara Falls not letting up in finding family doctors and keeping them.
Working in conjunction with the Niagara region, it says 8 doctors moved to the city last year, the most since the region starting recruiting in 2000.
Regional Recruitment Manager Jill Croteau revealed what giving a $100,000 incentive to a doctor brings. "That every dollar invested in physician recruitment can generate $12 to $30 in return. So this would be through physician billing, job creation, economic activity, and avoided costs tied to vacancies or emergency room coverage."
They add 4-doctors have moved to the falls this year, leaving a shortage of 29.
Councillor Lori Lococo appreciates the effort, but wants the province to pay the $100,000 incentive, not the city.
Mayor Jim Diodati agreed, adding doctors used to work longer hours. "Today they want quality of life, they want have to family time, they want to watch their kids play sports, they want to be in a clinic with other doctors so they can take time off... and I don't blame them, they want a balance in life... sometimes doctors work themselves to the bone."
Regionally, 28 new doctors arrived last year, and 38 doctors are taking patients on the Find a Doctor webpage.
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