Quesnel collaborative working on strategy for physician recruitment

Courtesy of Northern Health:

A stakeholder meeting will be held in Quesnel on April 1 to pull together specific details of a locally driven strategic action plan with a goal of attracting doctors to the community.

“We recognize the challenge for rural communities like ours in recruiting and retaining physicians,” said Coralee Oakes, MLA for Cariboo North. “We are very proud of our city and our region, and we are going to do everything we can to showcase the fantastic opportunities we have to offer. Our government has shown a commitment to training and attracting physicians through progressive means and I will continue to work with Minister Lake, Northern Health, and (Quesnel) City Council to encourage physicians to set up a practice in Quesnel.”

The invitation event will be moderated by Dr. David Snadden from the UBC Northern Medical Program and will include MLA Oakes, representatives from the City of Quesnel, Northern Health, local physicians, and the Cariboo Regional District. The format follows successful meetings in other northern communities including Fort St. James and Fort St. John to assist with physician recruitment strategies. Each of those sessions ended with unique plans for the individual communities to take forward to recruit physicians.

“Physicians chose where they want to practice based on a number of factors, with a strong importance placed on the lifestyle they will be offered in the community,” said Michael McMillan, Northern Health’s chief operating officer for the northern interior. “We have seen with communities such as Fort St. James that physician recruitment is successful when the community is actively involved in the process. We are excited to work with the City of Quesnel and other local partners.”

“I came to Quesnel a decade ago to practice with my husband, who is also a physician, and we both really enjoy the opportunities the community and region have to offer,” said Dr. Helene Smith, a physician practicing in Quesnel. “It is a great place to raise a family, and we take advantage of all the great outdoor activities as much as we can.”

There are a number of initiatives underway to promote the opportunities in Quesnel. These include highlighting the work and lifestyle available to residents with videos of Dr. Johannes McDonald located on the Northern Health physician recruitment website. Our physician recruitment team will also be attending seven recruitment events nationally and internationally to showcase the opportunities to physicians seeking a change of location, keeping close contact with potential recruits, and working closely with Health Match B.C.

“Professionals in any industry will choose to live in a community that demonstrates active support and appreciation for them,” said Bob Simpson, City of Quesnel Mayor. “As a city we need to actively recruit health professionals by highlighting the benefits of living and working in Quesnel. I ask residents to help in our recruitment efforts by positively promoting Quesnel with friends, acquaintances, and on social media.”

The action plan will be released to the community after reviewing with the committee following the meeting. For more information on physician recruitment within the Northern Health region, visit physicians.northernhealth.ca