Province may be 'turning the corner' on physician shortage but still faces major shortage: Doctors Manitoba

The group that represents doctors across Manitoba says the province has seen a large increase in the number of physicians in the health-care system.

Doctors Manitoba, citing government statistics, says there was a net increase of 116 physicians between April 1 and Aug. 31 of this year.

Doctors Manitoba president Dr. Randy Guzman said Thursday that the province saw a net gain of 133 physicians during the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba's fiscal year, which went from May 1 to April 30. 

That's the largest increase on record, he said, and significantly higher than a previous single-year milestone of 83.

Manitoba has a doctor shortage, and would need 346 more doctors to reach the national average of doctors per capita, Guzman said.

"Manitoba now has a shortage of 346 doctors — still a major shortage, but a significant improvement from last year's report," Guzman said during a news conference over Zoom.

"This positive news suggests that Manitoba may be turning the corner."

Guzman said while the numbers of doctors may ebb and flow from month to month, his organization is confident the upward trend will continue.

Doctors Manitoba released a report in June that said almost half of existing physicians are considering retiring, reducing their hours, or moving to another province.

Manitoba has consistently ranked low in the number of family doctors, specialists and others as tracked by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.