A financial incentive program from the City of St. Thomas and Elgin County aimed at attracting and keeping family doctors has provided funding this year to seven physicians, including at least three who are new to the area.
This initiative is part of a range of financial incentives available throughout Ontario from municipal and county governments, all focused on addressing the increasing shortage of doctors and ensuring family physicians stay in their communities.
In St. Thomas, local government has been offering $33,000 in interest-free, forgivable loans for several years as part of a Health Recruitment Partnership involving city officials and other community stakeholders, such as St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital and the Home Builders’ Association.
These loans can be used for various office costs and medical equipment, among other uses, and they can be forgiven if the doctor commits to providing at least four years of service in the county.
Just last week, St. Thomas council approved funding for two new doctors – Dr. Wallace Ordiah and Dr. Aghogho Nathaniel Oyibo – who plan to start practicing in the city this year.
The city and county also provide scholarships worth $1,000 per year for up to 10 students enrolled in accredited medical schools, especially those aiming to become family doctors in the area.
In nearby London, some critics like Mayor Josh Morgan argue against municipalities offering financial incentives for attracting doctors; he believes it should be illegal since it creates unhealthy competition between cities.
In April, London city council members rejected a proposal for $50,000 over one year meant for supporting recruitment efforts led by Middlesex-London Ontario Health Team; they had asked for $80,000 over three years.
Other cities across Ontario offering incentives include Welland which provides $100,000 bonuses for doctors relocating there either starting or taking over existing practices with an agreement they remain there for five years.
The $1 million program has attracted at least 14 physicians since its launch earlier this year.
Huntsville offers an $80,000 signing bonus if medical professionals agree to work there for no less than five years while Marmora and Lake near eastern Ontario offer free housing along riverfront properties along with zero-cost clinic space.
“Some incentives vary greatly; I’ve spoken with some physicians who were offered homes during their first five years while others were promised tuition payment support,” Baldwin-Sands shared.
“We believe that life quality here in St. Thomas and Elgin County is exceptional which is why next week we’re welcoming some medical students into our community showcasing our area’s wonderful features.”
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Critical Demand for Family Doctors
Lori Baldwin-Sands, a member of the St. Thomas city council and chairperson of the Health Recruitment Partnership, explained that there are many factors contributing to Ontario’s doctor shortage. One significant issue is that retiring doctors often have large patient rosters-sometimes as many as 5,000 patients-which makes it tough for new doctors entering practice who prefer smaller groups of about 1,000 to 1,500 patients. “This has created an urgent need in communities everywhere because the doctors that are retiring are leaving a lot of their patients orphaned,” by not being able to have a new doctor take on their full patient roster,” she told CBC’s Afternoon Drive on Tuesday. “The last statistics that we had show about 10,000 orphaned residents without a family doctor within our community, and we know that the numbers are higher,” she mentioned regarding both St. Thomas and Elgin County. “We’ve heard that number could go as high as 15,000 or even 20,000.” According to Statistics Canada data from 2023, at least 13 percent of Ontarians didn’t have access to a regular health care provider. The shortages are more severe in rural areas; one study by the Ontario College of Family Physicians found over 670,000 Ontarians travel more than 50 kilometers just to see their doctor. LISTEN: How St. Thomas is recruiting more family doctors Afternoon Drive7:08St. Thomas boosts incentives to recruit new doctors Council recently approved grants for incoming physicians settling in St. Thomas as part of various efforts aimed at attracting more healthcare providers. Laurie Baldwin-Sands is a councillor with the city.In nearby London, some critics like Mayor Josh Morgan argue against municipalities offering financial incentives for attracting doctors; he believes it should be illegal since it creates unhealthy competition between cities.
In April, London city council members rejected a proposal for $50,000 over one year meant for supporting recruitment efforts led by Middlesex-London Ontario Health Team; they had asked for $80,000 over three years.
Other cities across Ontario offering incentives include Welland which provides $100,000 bonuses for doctors relocating there either starting or taking over existing practices with an agreement they remain there for five years.
The $1 million program has attracted at least 14 physicians since its launch earlier this year.
Huntsville offers an $80,000 signing bonus if medical professionals agree to work there for no less than five years while Marmora and Lake near eastern Ontario offer free housing along riverfront properties along with zero-cost clinic space.
“Some incentives vary greatly; I’ve spoken with some physicians who were offered homes during their first five years while others were promised tuition payment support,” Baldwin-Sands shared.
“We believe that life quality here in St. Thomas and Elgin County is exceptional which is why next week we’re welcoming some medical students into our community showcasing our area’s wonderful features.”
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