There seems no end in sight to the shortage of doctors, nurses and medical staff in Huron, Perth and Bruce Counties.
CEO of the Listowel and Wingham Hopsitals Alliance Margaret Comack says recruitment continues to be difficult because students in medical schools are reluctant to commit themselves to rural hospitals.
Comack says many new graduates prefer to stay in large urban areas or enter specialist services.
Comack says some will do short-term stints in smaller rural hospitals helping to cover gaps in emergency rooms or cover off vacations for full-time medical staff.
Comack says there is an ongoing issue that small hospitals continue to have trouble addressing.
She says providing primary care to older patients is a challenge especially those who have chronic illnesses like diabetes, cardiac or respiratory issues and who need ongoing monitoring or management with their won physician.
Comack says the Listowel and Wingham Hospitals Alliance is trying something new to help avoid burning out medical staff burnout at this time of year.
Comack says this year the hospitals are hiring travelling physicians and surgeons through a private contractor.
She says in past years medical staff have become completely exhausted by the end of summer through covering ea ch other off for vacation time.
The trend is seen also seen at sites of the Stratford-based Huron-Perth Health Care Alliance which has also faced challenges in doctor recruitment.
