Doctor exodus from Bonavista will not have impact, says Eastern Health

An official with Eastern Health is offering assurances that the pending departure of four of the six doctors in Bonavista will not have an impact on health care in the region.

Reece Bearnes said the health authority is "considering a number of applications" from prospective replacements, letters of offer have been sent to two potential candidates, and doctors from elsewhere in Eastern Health are ready to fill any gaps in service.

What's more, there are two nurse practitioners in Bonavista, and a general practitioner from Clarenville will begin walk-in clinics on Mondays beginning April 6.

"We have a lot of resources there that are helping us to provide care to the area," said Bearnes, Eastern Health's director of medical services.

Aggressive recruitment campaign

Two of the departing doctors are "pursuing new opportunities" elsewhere, while two others have accepted other positions within Eastern Health, Bearnes explained.

All four will be leaving over the next month or so.

Bearnes said an aggressive recruitment effort is underway, and "we expect to have these positions filled."

When asked to give a timeframe, Bearnes said "we are working through the process. We want to be sure we are providing the right people to serve the area."

He said Eastern Health is working closely with the provincial college of physicians and surgeons, and members of the Bonavista town council.

Bearnes said recruitment efforts have been successful in recent years, reducing the vacancy rate for physicians to just five per cent.

He cautioned that it's an ongoing process.

"Because we educate and train our people so well, they're sought after around the world," he said.