It’s a challenge for Haliburton Highlands Health Services and other smaller hospitals in Ontario. H.H.H.S. President and C.E.O. Carolyn Plummer says all rural health organizations are in need of more doctors.
In her update to the board last month, Plummer says when it comes to bringing in new physicians, the health services team is drawing from the same pool as other rural communities.
Plummer adds making sure the hospital is staffed with physicians over the summer months is a major challenge.
Plummer says H.H.H.S. is working with the Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay as well as the Peterborough Regional Health Centre on a regional recruitment strategy. Health services is also working with Health Force Ontario, which is a group that provides locum doctors to help cover any vacant shifts. A locum is a physician that is on loan from another hospital.