Nurse practitioners hopeful new doctors will set up shop in Bonavista
The Newfoundland and Labrador Nurse Practitioner Association is hoping there won't be a significant change in workload for two nurse practitioners in Bonavista due to a changeover in doctors.
Four of the town's six general practitioners will be leaving the town around the end of the month.
Two of the departing doctors are "pursuing new opportunities" elsewhere, while two others have accepted other positions within Eastern Health.
The health authority said it is working to recruit replacements for the region, and that letters of offer have been sent to potential candidates to fill the gaps in service.
"Hopefully with the recruitment processes that are actively ongoing and the offers that are on the table, there will not be a significant change to the workload," said association president Raleen Murphy.
"Patients in that area can expect the provision of care to remain the same."
Murphy said nurse practitioners are able to do many things that doctors do, such as prescribe drugs, diagnose illnesses and order tests.