North Saskatchewan River Municipal Health Holdings continues to work to recruit physicians.
At a Feb. 14 board meeting at the RM of Mervin office in Turtleford, board members expressed optimism they would have physicians ready for the next assessment in May.
That situation will still be contingent on the successful writing of the Medical Council of Canada evaluating exam by the physicians before they are eligible to come to Canada for the college assessment.
The board is also in contact with a recruiter to assess physicians who may be interested in joining the Health Holdings practice.
The board says it is hopeful that once the college begins to accept physicians from other countries there will be more doctors interested in coming to rural Saskatchewan, possibly as early as next year.
The board passed a 2011 budget and reviewed a document on the implementing of the Community Ambassador Program. The program is part of the board's communication plan and the Community Health Action Network has been asked to spearhead the program to assist physicians as they adjust to life in a new community and country.
The clinics have been busy during the physician shortage and unfortunately wait times to get an appointment will be longer for the next few months. The staff, nurse practitioner and physicians are doing their best, the board says, to accommodate as many patients as possible. The board expresses appreciation for their hard work and dedication.
Patients are advised they can assist during the shortage by calling well in advance for appointments for medication renewal and routine visits.
The next health holdings board meeting is March 21 at the RM of Mervin office.
