Addington Highland Council - Mar. 21/23

Craig Bakay | Mar 29, 2023

Like just about every other community in Ontario (at least the smaller and/or rural ones) Addington Highlands is having trouble recruiting a doctor to the area — and that’s not likely to change, Lakelands Family Heath Team Executive Director Janice Powell told Council at its regular meeting March 21 in Denbigh.

“We’re not the only ones having issues recruiting,” Powell said. “We’ve advertised on Health Force Ontario, we’ve advertised on buildings, we have it on our Facebook and web page and we have ads in medical journals — which is very expensive.

“We’ve been to recruitment fairs at Ottawa University and Queen’s.”

She said they’ve invested “a very good display” and they even have a candy bowl.

They’re planning to go to a conference in Niagara Falls but “it’s very expensive.

“The difference between us and the others is that (many of) the others have head-hunters working for them.”

If they do find somebody that shows interest, it’s likely someone like Dr. Elliott, who was returning to the area but only wants to work a couple of days a week.

“There’s 25 per cent more paperwork here and a lot of family practitioners want to work their shift in a hospital,” she said. “You have a blended salary model and your incentive program is great (but) the two questions I hear most often are ‘how close is the nearest gym?’ and ‘what about a job for my spouse?’”

Coun. Ken Hook praised the work Powell has done and suggested the area lifestyle should be an asset.

“There’s no question Jan has done everything right,” Hook said. “We live in an area where people go to on their vacation.”

“If someone is interested, we give them the tour,” Powell said. “It includes Bon Echo, we show them the rock.”

Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch asked “where do you see the trend going in the next three to five years?”

“They’re going to have to open it up to more university admissions and allow more medical doctors from outside Canada

“(But) I see it going down the tubes. The median age is going up which means more older patients and our doctors also take care of 59 Pine Meadow patients (out of 64 beds).”

She said that while seniors are about 19 per cent of the population in Ontario, Addington Highlands and area is about 31-33 per cent.

“Maybe the locums (locum tenens or temporary replacement doctors) are just the way it is,” said Coun. Helen Yanch.

“But who’s going to pay the $1,000 a day and who’s going to do the follow-up?” said Powell.

Powell said lobbying higher tiers of government would be good but she didn’t feel it was her place given her position.

“I don’t get into politics,” she said.

“But we can,” said Fritsch.

Hook volunteered to take up the search.

“I’ve been involved in marketing my whole working life,” Hook said. “I’d like to get involved if you’ll let me.

“I’d like to recruit a doctor — maybe two.”

Age Friendly Community

Following a presentation from Charlotte Dafoe, Council agreed to forming a steering committee in order to apply for grants to have a study done aimed at Addington Highlands becoming an age-friendly community.

“My husband and I just moved back and would like to age here,” she said.

Coun. Kirby Thompson was in favour of the proposal.

“I think it’s a good idea and I’d also like to have a steering committee,” Thompson said.

However, Coun. Ken Hook was a bit skeptical.

“I’ve never been a fan of consultants,” he said. “You spend a lot of money for something that sits on a shelf and you never have enough money to do something anyways.”

A study would look at things like the County’s small home community pilot, the creation of a vulnerable citizen’s list and rationalization for the continued provision of emergency services for the area.

Bank of Montreal Closing

Under new business, Reeve Henry Hogg informed Council that he’s been officially notified that the Bank of Montreal will be moving its operations to Tweed from Northbrook after 58 years.

“There’s a public meeting May 31 in the Lions Hall from 6 to 8 p.m.,” Hogg said. “I don’t know if there’ll be an atm left here but I doubt it.

“I have talked to County about the possibility of a credit union or other options.”