North Frontenac Commits Up To $20,000 For Doctor Recruitment

Craig Bakay | Oct 18, 2023

North Frontenac Council voted to commit “up to $20,000” for physician recruitment by the Lakelands Family Health Team at its regular meeting Oct. 13 following a presentation by LFHT Executive Director Janice Powell.

Powell said the funding, combined with a similar contribution from Addington Highlands Township (who pledged up to $40,000), to enter into an agreement with Canada Medical Careers, a company that specializes in recruiting physicians from the UK, Ireland and Australia. Physicians from these countries do not have to write Canadian medical exams and are ready to practise when they arrive.

“Canada Medical Careers has (in the past) recruited two doctors in two weeks but it took five months to get them here because of the process,” Powell said.

This recruitment agency costs $39,750 plus HST, paid incrementally, she said.

“If the agency is not successful in placing a physician with us, the deposit of $9,750 is returned,” she said. “If there’s any funding available for recruiting, that’s my ask.”

“This recruiting company sounds too good to be true,” said Dep. Mayor John Inglis. “Have you had any leads from them.”

“I’ve had one conversation with a physician that came from them,” she said.

But, in an interview Monday, Powell cautioned residents not to get their hopes up just yet and do things like call in to get their names on a patient list.

“If we get a physician to commit, I would be so elated,” she said. “The first thing I would do is announce it to the community.”

Powell told Council that at one time, the LFHT had four doctors. She said ideally they’d like to recruit two doctors.

Dr. Wilson left on Jan. 31, 2017 and Dr. Dumas has resigned effective Dec. 23, 2023.

“The resultant loss of preventive services for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease, has a detrimental effect on all,” she said. “There will be increased visits to emergency departments for acute and episodic care.”

“We need to help you,” said Coun. Stephanie Regent, who moved committing the funds.

Council set its meeting dates for 2024

Council will meet Fridays at 9 a.m. on Jan. 12, Feb. 2, Feb. 23, March 15, April 5 and April 26.

It then switches to Thursdays at 5 p.m. for May 16, June 6, June 27, July 25, Aug. 22 and Sept. 12.

Meetings then return to Fridays at 9 a.m. on Oct. 4, Oct. 25, Nov. 22 and Dec. 13.

All meetings are in the Council Chambers in Plevna.

Coun. Wayne Good voted against the schedule saying that staff could be too tired the next day after a 5 p.m. meeting and also it could cost overtime for some. Dep. Mayor John Inglis said that staff are usually given time off in lieu of overtime.

Frontenac Municipal Services

Council appointed Mayor Gerry Lichty as North Frontenac’s representative on the new Frontenac Municipal Services Corporation Board.

“I want to do this,” Lichty said.

Fire Report

The North Frontenac Fire Department handled 155 calls in 2022 (a 20 per cent increase).

Fire Chief Eric Korhonen said in his annual report the increase can be directly attributed to an increase in tiered medical response calls (89). There were 12 exposure/property fire calls, 6 open air burning calls, 3 calls for smoke/CO alarms, 7 for mutual aid, 9 for public hazard, 15 for rescues and 14 others including false alarms.

“(But) we didn’t lose a house,” he said.

OPP Report

The Frontenac OPP detachment will be getting a new commander in November, Acting Staff Sgt. Jamie Davis told Council in his billing summary and Q3 report.

“The third quarter is our busiest season,” he said. “Marine calls and nuisance calls are going to come up.

“(But) the overall hours committed to North Frontenac are down.”

He said there were some “unusual accidents” and a murder on Bishop Lake, as well as some property crimes but no major increases.

“There were two boating fatalities and 57 motor vehicle collisions, 15 of which were animal related with deer, bears, porcupines and dogs. As well as 60 water vehicles checked on six area lakes.

Snow Road Hall

Council passed a resolution to share the costs of a new portable PA system with the Snow Road Community Association. The total cost is expected to be about $1,000.