FOGO ISLAND, NL - Residents of Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, are facing a growing healthcare crisis as the community struggles to attract and retain physicians. A recent CBC News In-Depth report highlighted the desperate situation, with locals expressing fears for their health and safety.

A History Without Doctors?

The island, which remarkably had a doctor as far back as 1792, currently has no physician. The lack of a doctor means residents requiring medical attention, including those in long-term care, may face a three-hour ambulance ride to Gander for treatment. “People are going to die because of this on Fogo Island,” one resident stated in the broadcast.

A National Problem, Local Impact

The issue isn’t isolated to Fogo Island. The report emphasized that doctor shortages are a nationwide problem, but Fogo Island’s history as a former teaching hospital – once boasting three doctors – makes the current situation particularly stark.

Twillingate's Success Story

CBC News travelled to Twillingate, a nearby community that has successfully recruited and retained family doctors. Dr. Andrew Hunt, a Twillingate native, now practices at the hospital where he was born. He attributes the success to a rural family doctor program at Memorial University, which provides early exposure to rural medicine. Three of Twillingate Hospital’s four doctors grew up in the town and went through the program.

The Key: Rural Training and Support

Experts suggest turning Fogo Island into a teaching site could be a crucial step towards attracting doctors. However, retaining them requires more than just a sense of place. Allison Best, a third-year medical student from Fogo Island, expressed reluctance to practice as the sole physician without adequate support and guaranteed time off. Burnout is a significant concern, with doctors emphasizing the need for work-life balance.

“I would not want to practice here as the sole physician especially fresh out of training… I don’t think that’s safe,” Best stated. “I need support… a kind of promise or a guarantee of access to time off.”

The report also touched on issues in Montreal, where a pause on Bill 2, which linked doctor’s pay to performance targets, has led some clinics to reconsider closures. Additionally, paramedics in Montreal are reporting issues with a new dispatch system, potentially delaying emergency response times.