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Vol. 43, No. 9 He HE pi March 1, 1989 40 cenis Doctors keep coming and going Problems at McCausland? By Dave Chmara A petition with the names of 657 local residents was presented to the Terrace Bay council express- ing concern over the high. turnover of doctors in Terrace Bay. The petition was presented by Mary Cashmore and Sam Harris who went on to say they were not trying to cause an uproar, but were concerned as to why doctors are not staying in Terrace Bay for any length of time. "We have to promote Terrace Bay as a place to stay and make them (doctors) feel welcome," said Cashmore. She said during a meeting with McCausland Hospital administrator Clem Fewer, "he gave the impres- sion no one in the community cares if a doctor is full-time or tempo- " rary. Following the presentation by Cashmore and Harris, Mrs. Fowler addressed council to give council the Fowler's view of the situation and also suggested means by which doctors could be more readily wel- comed by the community. First she stated, "we regret the fact that we're leaving Terrace Bay." She added, "we did not come as temporary people. You don't uproot your family" and take out a $12,000 loan to move to a town on a temporary basis. Dr. Fowler's practice at McCausland finished at the end of February. Mrs. Fowler said upon first arriving in Terrace Bay, resi- dents placed a lot of pressure on Dr. Fowler by constantly asking, "how long, or if you're going to stay." She said when another doctor does come to set up a practice in town, residents should instead wel- come him to town. Dr. Fowler was initially being paid by the Ministry of Health's Underserviced Areas Program (USAP). Mike Moore, a former member on the McCausland Hospital's Board, explained that this program is not meant to attract, or retain a full-time doctor. It is used to ensure a town will have a doctor but does not guarantee how long a doctor will stay to practice. After a few months Dr. Fowler found it would be unfeasible to go into practice on a fee for service basis, and his pay under the USAP was extended until the end of February. In early February Dr. Fowler attempted to get a loan to establish a fee for service practice. Setting up such a practice is very expensive as equipment, staff, and a billing system must be obtained. Mrs. Fowler said future patients can't be used as collateral and subsequently was unable to receive aloan. She said because no loan was available to set up a practice which would have enabled Dr. Fowler to stay longer, they were forced to make the decision to move. Some reasons were given as to why it was so difficult to establish a fee for service practice in town. Mrs. Fowler explained that a resi- dent doctor working out of the hos- pital could be a drain on another doctor's practice. She also said there is a possible lack of commu- nity confidence since doctors have been leaving so often. Tuesday, February 21 was Thinking Day - a day to mark the birthday of Robert Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting in 1907. The Schreiber Beavers marked the day by hosting a Carnival Night. The boys made a number of games and invited the Brownies as well because it was Girl Guide/Scouting Week. Above, a brownie tosses a ball in a game of "Knock off Dummy". sos Photo by Dave Chmara Although Dr. Fowler's practice was slowly growing, she estimated it would take, "a full 12 months to build a practice financially reward- ing enough (for a doctor) to stay." She suggested the USAP needs to be fully investigated to deter- mine all the advantages the pro- gram has to offer. As well, the community too ' should know what it has to offer and then a doctor can know what to expect should he decide to set up a practice in town. "The positive cooperation of the community is needed," said Mrs. Fowler. She further suggested that a committee of the town council, the hospital board and other communi- ty Icaders be formed to investigate the current problems with attracting and retaining doctors, and to assist new doctors when they arrive in Terrace Bay. The ultimate goal of such a committee being to find a permanent doctor for the communi- ty. Mrs. Fowler also said the Terrace Bay council should look into how it can play a key role in attracting a doctor to.town. Dr. Fowler is leaving town to set up a practice in Chapleau, and the town is supporting him for his first three months by providing a large house, car, an office with staff and a billing system. Donna Mikeluk, Schreiber Council representative on the McCausland Hospital Board, in a presentation to Schreiber council, noted some conditions related to the medical staff, and the relation- ship between the medical staff and the Hospital Administration were far from ideal. Minutes from the council meet- ing read, "This observation tends to be supported by the large number of doctors practicing for relatively short terms in Terrace Bay...current facilities available to a doctor com- mencing practice in Terrace Bay at the Hospital Clinic are not con- ducive to encouraging a physician to locate in the area on a permanent basis." Further allegations were made during the Terrace Bay council meeting concerning the situation at McCausland, but as yet have not been confirmed or substantiated. Belluz Realty Ltd. Simcoe Plaza Terrace Bay, Ont POT 2W0 Juris Zdanovskis Broker 1-807-824-2933 1-807-825-9393 Editorial for long distance trips Page 4 INSIDE THIS WEEK Nurses' Roles They'll play a larger role in running hospitals Tax Reforms Northerners penalized Revenue Canada says it's easier and fairer Page 5 SUPERIOR SHORELINE INSURANCE LTD. Offers ONTARIO - BLUE CROSS Health Plan for families & individuals 825-9492 825-9646 : * Homeowner * Auto * Blue Cross