The province says doctor recruitment remains strong.
There were 168 doctors who started practicing in our province between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
“The recruitment of doctors and other healthcare professionals is truly a team effort,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “Working together we continue to showcase Nova Scotia as a great place to live, work and raise a family. We know that there is still much to do but our hard work is starting to see results.”
Of those recruited, 78 were family doctors, 90 work in other specialties across Nova Scotia and 13 started at the IWK.
From 2018-2022 Nova Scotia Health recruited 164, 127, 129 and 130 physicians respectively, for a total of 550.
Recruitment initiatives over the past year included:
— working with the regulators to make it easier for licensed healthcare professionals to work in Nova Scotia from recognized jurisdictions
— international recruitment mission to Ireland and the Caribbean to meet with more than 400 medical students with Nova Scotia ties or an interest in coming to Nova Scotia
— provided funding to 28 community groups for retention and recruitment efforts
— increased the number of physician residency seats for international medical graduates and added a stream for those with a Nova Scotia connection
— attended more than 90 conferences and recruitment events in Canada, United States and the United Kingdom
— hosted 13 webinars for high need specialties, medical learners and jurisdictions with new license pathways
Quick Facts:
— there were 82 physician departures last year
— recruitment efforts are continuing to fill 169 physician vacancies (as of April 1), which include 73 specialty and 96 family medicine doctors
— this is the first year Nova Scotia has reported physician hiring numbers for the IWK.
— more than 100 representatives from community groups across Nova Scotia attended a two-day healthcare retention and recruitment conference this week hosted by the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment
Comments