President's Message 

 

 

 

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In the absence of MPres Trudy, the meeting was opened at 7.06 by PP Howard who welcomed 13 members in person and 15 others joining by Zoom who included our guest presenter and Jamie Coatsworth, a friend of David Smith and a regular supporter of the bottle depot, with a strong interest in the topic of the shortage of doctors in the County. After a check on the health of members and spouses, a handout was distibuted from Pres Elect Ken regarding the project to fund summer camp experiences for underprivileged youth. Time lags and poor quality sound made the rendition of O Canada, by those on-line, brutal.

Colin introduced our speaker, Dr Anne Nancekievill, by explaining that she, and her husband, who is also a doctor, have spent the bulk of their adult lives living and working in the County since the late 80’s and raised a family here. As well as their professional activities, they are keen kyakers and skiers. Dr Nancekievill then shared her presentation material on the current serious, and worsening, shortage of doctors in our area. She explained about the limit on the numbers of physicians and other health care professionals are allowed under Provincial rules to support the PEC population of approximately 25,000. There will soon be only 16, of the 23 doctors permitted, practicing on the Prince Edward Family Health Team (PEFHT). Dr Nancekievill went on to describe all the requirements for a doctor practicing in a rural area such as ours, which are more broad-ranging than for those working in an urban setting, including running clinics, staffing the hospital ER, providing care at the Hospice and LTC homes, caring for their patients in hospital, teaching resident physicians, assuming medical directorships, supporting many on-going health-related programs and facilitating access to specialists. An interesting statistic that Dr Nancekievill shared was that while 18% of the Canadian population is deemed to inhabit rural and remote areas, only 8% of doctors provide service to this segment of Canadians. She also mentioned the impact of (well-deserved) retirements on our community. The County is also new to the problem of recruiting doctors since, until recently, our area was attractive and affordable for those looking to have a career in family medicine. On top of the rise in house prices and the different expectations for rural doctors, the pandemic has also taken a toll on the situation. (See “Current Climate of Healthcare Delivery is Challenged” in Powerpoint presentation) However, a partnership between PEFHT and the County of Prince Edward has been established and a task force team created to address this crisis by tackling any issues dissuading physicians from settling here and meeting their personal and professional expectations. If this shortfall is not addressed in the very near future, it will mean that five and a half thousand residents will lose their doctor in 2022. PEC no longer qualifies for the Provincial support to rural and remote communities but it is not all bad news. The PEC Council has agreed to support new initiatives to the tune of $150,000 per year which includes money for a professional recruitment program and “Docs on the Bay” have provided input. The task force is also soliciting help from community groups such as Rotary to find ways to make rural family medicine, in PEC, attractive to doctors again. These may include financial support and funding for welcoming activities. In a lively question period, Dr Nancekievill responded to points including the sufficiency of our ‘quota’ of doctors, the use of technology in communicating with patients, the situation of nurse-practitioners (also on a quota), the possibility of attracting doctors from overseas, the idea of involving the philanthropic community in related initiatives, and the feasability of having “fee-for-service” care as well as rostered physicians. Dr Nancekievill was thanked by John Inwood.

 

To review the Powerpoint presentation from Dr. Nancekievill, Click HERE

In Club business, PP Bill got his needed volunteers for the Bottle Depot, as did Pres Elect Ken for the vaccination clinics. A strong reminder was given to members that candidates for RYLA are urgently sought and that places are being snapped up ahead of the application deadline of March 31st. Contact John Inwood if you know someone suitable. After happy dollars, the 50/50 draw and the 4 Way Test, the meeting closed at 8.23

 

 

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Peter Campbell, Jacques Michaud
Needed: 1 Cashier/Sorter/Receiver

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Trudy Brown, Phyo Kyi, Chris Compeau

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