Nurse practitioner fills space of community doctor

Hunter River won't be getting a fourth doctor again, says the P.E.I. Department of Health, because that need is being filled by a nurse practitioner.

'I'm not saying there isn't a need for additional resources.' — Dr. Richard Wedge, director of medical programs

The Central Queen's Health Centre Advisory Committee says discovered the fourth doctor position was no longer there after it recruited a doctor willing to locate in Hunter River, which is about a 15-minute drive northwest of Charlottetown. The group estimates 1,400 in the area don't have a family doctor.

Dr. Richard Wedge, director of medical programs for the province, told CBC News Wednesday over the past few years a new, more efficient, health centre has been built in Hunter River, including the hiring of a nurse practitioner.

"I'm not saying there isn't a need for additional resources in the Hunter River area, but changes have occurred since then, and the need for more physicians doesn't appear to be there," said Wedge.

"A nurse practitioner in general can see about 60 to 70 per cent of the patients that would normally see a family doctor."

Wedge said patients that previously would have required the attention of a physician are now seeing the nurse practitioner instead.

Wedge noted there is a new doctor in the Cornwall area, to the west of Charlottetown, and that some patients from Central Queen's could chose to go there.