Government failing on doctor recruitment front

When it comes to recruitment, Nova Scotia government might know how to GET the doctor. It just doesn’t know how to HOLD the doctor.

Dr. Mahmood Naqvi sure knew how to do get and hold onto doctors for Cape Breton, but something is missing in government’s current efforts. Independent Cape Breton doctors are trying to engage docs on their own, as people who know the island and know the workplace.

Government-appointed recruiters can paint a really rosy picture and get some doctors here with some good stories and promises of support and a good life. But you’ll never KEEP the doctors here. Eventually, they will discover the crisis whether you tell them about it in the shiny recruitment booth or not. The critical issues must actually be resolved. A lot of doctors leave here. Why?

Is it because we are in crisis? Is it because our doctors are not paid as much as doctors elsewhere? Does the province send actual Cape Bretoners to recruit to Cape Breton? Is it because we have aging and inadequate infrastructure? A nearly 60-year-old public library? Is it because new kids will be playing basketball in an old hockey rink that feels like a barn? Is it because we have garbage bins overflowing in our downtown when people visit? We are lovely people in a geographically beautiful space, but are we really all that welcoming to newcomers?

I am sure the government was relieved to have Dr. Andrew Harris, head of Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) psychiatric services, react to the recent resignation of the head of adult psychiatric services here in Cape Breton. Dr. Scott Milligan is a valuable member of this community. He brought family here. They made our community better. He listened to the concerns of patients. He tried to make things better, Now he’s leaving. Recruiters need to understand why.

Dr. Harris made the statement that Cape Breton would probably never get the contingent of psychiatrists (16) that we need. We are now down to five adult psychiatrists and no (zero) child and adolescent psychiatrists for Cape Breton. Dr. Harris is the fall guy. He’s apparently comfortable under the bus. His statement lowers expectations without exposing politicians or senior NSHA staff.

Plus, he won’t say the world “crisis.” He’s great at staying on message: “We’re aware of the challenges.” “Local staff are such hard workers.” “We’re recruiting but it takes time.” Blah. Blah. Blah.

Isn’t that just enough to keep Cape Bretoners from doing what? Oh! Making noise.

Neeta Kumar-Britten Sydney