(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Doctor incentive

City of Melfort passes incentive for doctors to practice at Wellness Centre

Jun 14, 2024 | 4:17 PM

The City of Melfort is increasing their effort in enticing doctors to the Wellness Centre.

At a Special Council Meeting on Friday, Council passed a new Medical Clinic Incentive Policy to help bring, and retain, doctors in Melfort.

This policy applies to all doctors licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan who enter into a Medical Clinic Licensing Agreement for space within the Wellness Centre.

The city currently leases the space at the Wellness Centre from the developer Avatex, and the city then sells the lease to each doctor. City Manager Adam Homes told northeastNOW council is looking to fill a few vacancies at the centre through new incentives.

“(For) the first six months when (physicians) sign on, (they’ll) be exempt from any lease fees,” he explained.

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The policy states only doctors that have not practiced within the city limits previously are eligible, and the physician must sign a Medical Clinic Licensing Agreement. The doctor must maintain an active practice within the Wellness Centre during the exemption period, and they must repay the exempted amount should they terminate the licensing agreement or stop practicing at the Wellness Centre for the first year. The City’s annual budget for the Wellness Centre will account for the financial impact of the policy.

Homes said the city hopes the added incentive will help bring more doctors to the community.

“Everybody’s obviously competing for doctors, and we have this great clinic in Melfort attached right to our hospital, so hopefully this will help…incentivize them and make Melfort their top choice.”

Homes added the city and surrounding communities were heavily involved in helping to get the Wellness Centre built, and the goal of the new policy is to ensure it’s filled.

There are 11 active doctors in Melfort, with one returning soon. Homes said the goal would be to have 16 physicians in the Wellness Centre. Currently, no doctor in Melfort is accepting new patients.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK