Supporting the area hospitals is vital when it comes to attracting doctors to the area, says the Town of the Blue Mountains (TBM) councillor Andrea Matrosovs.
“It is very clear that when doctors are looking to settle in this area and set up practices, they are looking to see where area hospitals are and what they can do in terms of growth for their career,” Matrosovs explained. “They are not necessarily just looking to set up a family practice, they are looking for that kind of opportunity as well.”
The discussion arose after the TBM council received correspondence from the Meaford Hospital Foundation seeking financial support for new equipment and COVID-relief funds.
“Funds for the hospital’s response to the COVID crisis are uncertain, and so, it is up to the foundation to raise the funds that are needed,” states Barbara Little, chair of the Meaford Hospital Foundation. “We must rely on the generosity of our communities of Meaford, TBM, and the surrounding areas to fulfil the requirements of the Meaford Hospital, as well as our regional site in Owen Sound.”
Little noted that due COVID restrictions the majority of the foundation’s fundraising efforts have been squashed.
“It will be a challenge to meet the hospital’s need for new equipment,” Little wrote.
Council members referred the letter to the TBM Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee for further consideration.
Matrosovs noted the importance of the letter and the presence of the Meaford Hospital in the region.
“Half of us, including myself living along the western boundary of the town, rely on this Meaford hospital, as much as the other half relies on the Collingwood hospital,” she said.
The TBM Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee will also be looking at the donations being made by TBM to both the Meaford Hospital and the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, to ensure consistency in funding.
Matrosov said that the committee is also gaining some momentum in developing regional partnerships that will assist in attracting area doctors.
“So far, we have recruited a council appointee from Collingwood, Grey Highlands and Clearview,” Matrosovs adding that the committee also recently made a presentation to the Meaford council, which is currently under consideration.
“If we are able to get all the partners on board, we would be able to acquire professional recruitment support, in terms of consulting or a staff person on-hire, that would represent all of us,” Matrosovs said at a council meeting held earlier this year. “We would have one person representing all of the Southern Georgian Bay instead feeling like we all need to put forth individual efforts.”
