South West Health announced Monday that two family physicians have accepted positions with Digby General Hospital.
The first physician is completing her family medicine residency at the University of Alberta, and will begin her practice here this fall. The second physician is a family medicine resident at Dalhousie University, and will be available to start her practice in early 2015.
“Improving access to primary health care services by recruiting new physicians and primary care providers remains a strategic priority for South West Health,” said Dr. Alenia Kysela, vice-president of medicine and chief of medical staff.
“While we prepare for these two physicians to join us in the future, we will still continue our vigorous recruitment efforts for under-serviced areas.”
The first physician comes to Digby through the Department of Health and Wellness ‘return of service’ program. The program provides provincial funding to international medical graduates to enter the third year of medical school at Dalhousie University and in return they are required to practice medicine in a rural Nova Scotia community for a certain amount of time.
“Two new family physicians is great news for residents of Digby and the surrounding region,” said Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson.
South West Health said it is unusual to make this type of announcement so far in advance of a new physician starting practice, but explained it is important to share this information with the community to help create a better understanding of long-term recruitment efforts.
South West Health acknowledged the important partnerships with the Municipality of Digby, the Digby and Area Health Services Charitable Foundation, the Town of Digby and various community partners.
South West Health will not keep a waiting list of potential patients for the two physicians. An announcement will be made after the physicians arrive with regards to the process for accepting new patients.
