We need solutions to get more doctors or alternatives to make existing resources more effective. Suggestions anyone?
Osprey Media Group Inc. - St. Catharine News: "Physician recruitment program's funding threatened
ROBERT LAPENSEE
Local News - Friday, February 18, 2005 @ 08:00
With an estimated 25,000-30,000 St. Catharines residents still without a family doctor, the future of the City's physician recruitment program is up in the air as council looks to reduce the proposed budget for 2005.
Item 10 on the second of three reductions lists being considered in order to cut an 11.5 per cent levy increase down to a 2.8 per cent increase is proposing to take out the City's funding for the program, representing a savings of $36,800.
City Treasurer Colin Briggs had department heads prepare a list of possible reductions in order to meet council's wishes of chopping $6.79 million out of the proposed $87 million budget.
Brock Dickinson, the director of the economic development and tourism department at city hall, said the city money is the only source of funding for the program and cutting it out will eliminate the program altogether at a time when residents need one to exist.
'We are considered an under serviced area by the province,' Dickinson told the Niagara News, adding St. Catharines is 15 doctors short of being fully serviced. 'With an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 people without a family doctor, that is certainly approaching a crisis situation.' "
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