EAGLE VALLEY
NEWS
Sicamous Lions honour own for 35 years’ service Page 7
Eagles maintain playoff presence against Storm Page 8
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 PM40008236
Vol. 60 No. 8 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (GST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
Trades training: School
District #83 students try their hands at joinery, welding, plumbing, carpentry and other trades during the Construction Trades Spotlight on Thursday, Feb. 19 at Sicamous’ TA Structures. Right - Eagle River Secondary student Jay Schroeder wires a junction box under the guidance of TA electrician Ken Favel. Above - TA plumber Jerry Gordon looks on as Salmon Arm Secondary student Logan Burt solders copper pipe together. Photos by Lachlan Labere
Shuswap looks to recruiter to find needed physicians Search: Communities share responsibility to connect with doctors. By Barb Brouwer
Eagle Valley News
Several Shuswap communities are investigating a far-flung approach to attracting a physician. Representatives from Sicamous, Malakwa, South Shuswap and North Shuswap attended a Jan. 30 meeting to hear how Vernon-based Global Medics could help. Founded in 2001 in London, England, Global Group now has offices in Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The company recruits for locums, contract and permanent doctors in both primary and acute care settings.
Sicamous Medical Clinic manager Pam Beech says there are doctor shortages in many Canadian cities as well as rural areas. In terms of the Shuswap, she says Salmon Arm is the only community without a shortage of doctors. “I really feel this is an option we do need to explore,” says Beech, noting that with the departure of Dr. Rosemary Kelsall from the clinic, women’s health issues will continue to be a high priority and will be covered without disruption until a suitable replacement can be found. “Global Medics is an option that has proven to be effective in other areas of the province and Canada.” Beech says Global Medics has a strong connection with countries whose standards are similar to Canada’s, making it easier for doctors from those countries to qualify to work in this country. Global Medics guides doctors through
the licensing process, arranges all interviews and matches their needs to the community in question. “I think the difference between the service in place right now for BC Health Match is the ability of a recruitment group like Global Medics to do a lot of groundwork,” says Beech. “Before they connect you to a doctor, they make sure the match is as close to being perfect as is possible.” But, Beech notes, communities also have to take responsibility to ensure a doctor will be as happy with the match as the community is. “I was interested in hearing things people can do to make it easier and communities need to hear this; it’s the community and what it can offer that will keep the doctors here,” says Beech of the two- to threeyear commitment doctors must make to stay in the country.
In terms of cost for the service, Beech says no money changes hands until the community offers a doctor a position and it is accepted. At that point, half the recruitment fee is transferred. The other half comes due when the doctor arrives and starts work. As well, Global Medics’ fee could be negotiated based on the number of doctors involved. With North Shuswap, South Shuswap and Sicamous in need of doctors, a single trip with several doctors could be arranged. Timelines vary as to when doctors would actually arrive to work but Beech says Global Medics told the group it will never be less than six months and more likely anywhere from nine months to a year – and that depends on the diligence of both sides. “I think it’s important that all the reps See Community on page 2