Cities Take Direct Action on Doctor Shortage

COLWOOD, BC – As family doctor shortages worsen across Canada, some municipalities are taking unprecedented steps to ensure residents have access to primary care. The city of Colwood, British Columbia, has garnered national attention for its innovative approach: directly employing family doctors.

Colwood's Pioneering Model

Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi, an aeronautical engineer, spearheaded the initiative after recognizing the growing need for accessible healthcare within his community. “It was quite a bit of pushback, I have to tell you the truth, because everyone said, ‘Hey, that's not our responsibility. Healthcare is a provincial responsibility,’ but it’s cities that bleed when the system breaks,” Kobayashi stated. Colwood is offering doctors a comprehensive package including a salary of approximately $280,000 per year, full employee benefits, a pension estimated at over $2.5 million over 30 years, and coverage for vacation, sick days, and administrative staff.

Attracting Doctors and Improving Access

The Colwood Clinic opened in February with a goal of housing eight family doctors. So far, three doctors have signed contracts, coming from the U.S., Europe, and Ontario. Dr. Cassandra Stiller, who relocated from Ontario, highlighted the appeal of the model: “With this model, it’s all taken care of. Basically show up to work, your patients are ready to see you.” She also noted the financial stability offered by the position. Patients are already experiencing the benefits, with many reporting years-long waits for a family doctor before the clinic opened. Sheila Eldridge, a Colwood resident, expressed her relief, saying, “It was a very emotional experience for me to finally get the relief of having that physician to look after us.”

Orillia Follows Suit, Facing Financial Hurdles

The success of Colwood’s model is inspiring other cities. In Orillia, Ontario, Mayor Don McIsaac is aiming to connect 12,000 residents with a family doctor by the end of the year. While embracing Colwood’s approach, Orillia faces financial challenges, particularly the upfront costs of establishing a clinic. “We haven’t given up on that idea and we’re still looking for alternatives in terms of how to get there,” McIsaac said. The city has secured one doctor so far through recruitment efforts.

Provincial Response and Expert Opinion

BC’s Ministry of Health has expressed encouragement towards community-led solutions, despite initial skepticism. However, health policy expert Steven Lewis from Simon Fraser University argues that municipalities shouldn’t have to shoulder this responsibility. “I would be going back to the province and saying wait a minute who’s responsible for this anyway and we are only doing this because you didn’t do your job,” he stated. The innovative approaches are also drawing healthcare professionals from the US, with BC actively recruiting US workers through advertising and outreach programs, resulting in over 140 job acceptances.