City of Melfort recruiting physicians to local hospital

Additionally, several doctors in Melfort will be retiring soon, and it will be challenging to find replacements with specialized skills.

“The city has been involved in ensuring that the city has doctors because it’s important,” explained city manager, Adam Homes. “It’s critical for ensuring that we have health and well-being for our residents. Implementing this policy to attract physicians, especially the ones that have specialized training, is ensuring that our residents in the region have quality care.”

Currently, Melfort Hospital is facing competition from communities in recruiting physicians with Enhanced Surgical Skills.

These specialized physicians would be able to provide essential services such as endoscopy, C-sections, obstetrics, and surgical procedures.

The recruitment bonus will be funded by the General Operating Reserve or positive operating variance, and each physician with an Enhanced Surgical Skills Service Agreement will be presented to council for approval.

“It’s trying to really utilize the great facility that we have here,” Homes added. “Getting physicians with that enhanced surgical skills, so that they can have their surgeries here in any kind of specialized way. We want those types of services to stay here in Melfort… it’s in the city’s best interest that we attract doctors to our community to give our residents the best health care that they can have.”

Eligibility requirements include:

This recruitment bonus applies to doctor specialists recruited by the Melfort Hospital and the North East Physician Lead.
The doctor specialist must possess the qualifications, certifications, and licenses required for their specialty. The specialty includes Surgical, Endoscopy, Obstetrical, and any other specialty recommended by the North East Physician Lead.
The doctor specialist must commit to a minimum service period of three years with Melfort Hospital.

Details of the recruitment bonus include:

A recruitment bonus of $20,000 will be provided to eligible doctor specialists upon starting their position.
The bonus will be paid as a lump sum within 30 days of their start date.
The recruitment bonus is subject to applicable taxes and deductions per prevailing laws and regulations.

Details of the repayment clause include:

If the doctor specialist voluntarily resigns or their contract is terminated with the Melfort Hospital before completing the minimum service period of three years, they will be required to repay a prorated portion of the recruitment bonus.
The repayment amount will be calculated based on the remaining minimum employment period.

And, as for responsibilities from all parties, they include:

Melfort Hospital and North East Physician Lead

Promote the doctor specialist recruitment bonus program through appropriate channels.
Screen and select eligible candidates based on their qualifications and suitability.
Recommend candidates to City Council to receive the bonus.

“You can really even look at this as bolstering the local economy and economic development. Cities and municipalities that have physicians help bolster the local economy, create jobs, generate revenue, and create interest from people who want to live here. It’s an impact, but also is a benefit that attracts more revenue to the city as well,” Homes told northeastNOW.

This policy will be reviewed a minimum of once in five years by the Community Services Department in consultation with relevant stakeholders to assess its effectiveness in attracting and retaining physicians with enhanced surgical skills.

Any revisions or adjustments will ensure the policy aligns with the city’s goals and objectives.

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news@northeastnow.com

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by Ben Tompkins

City of Melfort recruiting physicians to local hospital

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