BARKERVILLE GEARS UP PAGE A3
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
fight of her life PAGE A11
VOL. 101 NO. 70
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Run like the wind Thursday the district cross country run was held Correlieu with hundreds taking to the track and pavement. For more photos see Friday’s Observer. Autumn MacDonald photo
Gold Pan City implementing strategy for physician recruitment A partnership in Quesnel is set to start the implementation of a locally driven physician recruitment strategy. The main points of the strategy include: • developing a new local primary care clinic for unattached patients; • supporting social integration and spousal support for new recruits and their families; • ensuring Northern Health and physicians enhance the partnership with the City of Quesnel, MLA for Cariboo North Coralee Oakes, the Cariboo Regional District, and Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District; and • executing a communication strategy to engage the broader community. “The action plan is a
great example of what can happen when we work together and it will play an important role in the recruitment of physicians,” Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes said. “The April meeting allowed the group to examine best practices in physician recruitment and integrate local ideas. I look forward to working hard alongside the community to demonstrate to physicians that Quesnel is a great place to live and work.” Northern Health is connecting with physicians who have expressed interest in relocating to Quesnel. The process includes inviting the interested physician and their families to the community for a tour of the medical
facilities and amenities. “As physicians come to Quesnel for site visits, we want to make sure they have a fantastic experience so they make the choice to practice in Quesnel,” mayor Bob Simpson said. “I would ask members of the community to join us by positively promoting Quesnel on social media and in the community to show the reasons we love to live and work here.” “The Cariboo Regional Hospital District has been proud to provide funding health care projects, with the latest being the renovation to the pharmacy,” Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Chair John Massier said. “As a board we want to continue supporting health care in the Cariboo
including support the recruitment efforts to our wonderful region.” The new primary care clinic for unattached patients will be developed by the summer to meet the needs of patients in Quesnel. The primary care clinic will feature an inter-professional team that will work collaboratively to provide care for patients. While the clinic is still in development, members of the team may include visiting and permanent physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, primary care nurses, and mental health and addiction clinicians. Support will also be provided by other medical professionals including dietitians, pharmacists and home support.
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“We have heard from physicians that they are interested in working with interdisciplinary teams, and the new primary care clinic will provide another option for physicians wanting to practice in Quesnel,” Northern Health Quesnel health service administrator Debbie Strang said. “While recruitment activities are underway, it will also provide unattached patients in Quesnel access care.” There are a number of initiatives underway to promote the opportunities in Quesnel. These include highlighting the work and lifestyle available to residents with videos of Quesnel physicians that will be located on the Northern Health physi-
cian recruitment website. Northern Health’s physician recruitment team will also be attending seven recruitment events nationally and internationally to showcase the opportunities to physicians seeking a change of location, keeping close contact with potential recruits, and working closely with Health Match B.C. “We have a great team of physicians that are working in Quesnel, and we will continue to work hard for our patients in the community,” Dr. Helene Smith said. “I really enjoy living and working in Quesnel. For me it is about showing physicians interested in Quesnel all of the great benefits the community has to offer.”
Quesnel
Home & Outdoor Adventure
Show 2015
Featuring Products & Services for Home and Outdoor Adventure
May 10th
Quesnel Twin Arenas May 8th, 9th & 10th