P.O. Box 211
Orangeville, ON
L9W 2Z6
Telephone: (519) 941-6991 ext 2002
E-mail: opportunities@physicianswanted.ca
Website: www.physicianswanted.ca

April, 2009

GREATER DUFFERIN PHYSICIAN SEARCH COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER #16

It is now Spring 2009 and time for another newsletter. We are pleased to report some more personnel additions to the Dufferin Area Family Health Team, Dr. Karen Sandhu to the Orangeville Family Health Clinic and Dr. Jeffrey Ponke who has now taken over the practice of Dr. Barbara Watts last month. We are fortunate to have Dr. Watts still retaining her interest in our community through some work in the E.R. and covering her old practice when Dr. Ponke is away working in Africa. In addition, Dr. Carol Mills will be starting her practice in Family Medicine with O.F.M.C. in the Fall. Ms. Joy Savage, a Nurse Practitioner has been recruited for the D.A.F.H.T. and began her practice in December 2008, also at the O.F.M.C.

We are still hoping to recruit another paediatrician for our medical staff at this time and it is expected that there will be some further additions to the Consulting Staff over the next five years.

There are now 12 Anaesthetists with privileges at the Headwaters Health Care Centre with nine available for on call. The majority also do work in other locations such as Alliston Hospital, the Brampton Civic Hospital, the E.R. and dental clinics.

In the Emergency Department, there are currently 5 full time physicians working and 11 part time physicians of whom 5 are local Family Physicians. In addition, there are six physicians who work on an occasional basis, two of whom are G.P. Anaesthetists and the remaining are Family Physicians. Another physician is now being recruited on a full time basis.

It has been increasingly evident over the past year that there is limited accommodation for additional Family Physicians for our community. We are still underserviced by four Family Physicians based on the 2006 population census which requires our continuing efforts to find more physicians. And this need does not reflect any potential retirements which may occur in the next few years. With this concern in mind, we have been reviewing the potential sites for a new Clinic which could accommodate the various health care personnel requirements for the next 5 to 8 years. It is hoped that we can make this decision in the next couple of months.

Our educational program continues to flourish. As of March 30, there are 2 second year Family Practice Residents here until June 30 and it is hoped that we have further appointments. Six Clinical Clerks are booked for periods up to a month long, with 4 medical students for one month in a core student program, 6 medical students for periods of one to four weeks and a further six students here for our Rural Health Week May 31 to June 5. There are also 11 Physician Assistants at the Hospital for periods of 2 to 3 weeks training in the O.R. and the Emergency Department.

There was a well attended Theatre Night on February 27 for the medical staff and their spouses with a reception after the performance of “I Will Be Home Before Midnight”.

The Accreditation Survey was conducted at the Hospital earlier this month and it was very successful with over 90% compliance with the 1300 standards. There were some suggestions made for further refinements which will further enhance the care, but the staff should be congratulated for their efforts in the preparation for the survey and the actual review itself. The Accreditation process is an important indicator of the quality of care provided in the institution which is very reassuring for the members of the public who are receiving care there. So CONGRATULATIONS!

We are looking forward to a busy few months in which we will continue to arrange physician tours and hopefully begin the planning of another clinic facility. Our best wishes for holiday season this summer.

Respectfully submitted,

David Scott M.D. FRCSC
Physician Liaison with the Greater Dufferin Physician Search Committee