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PC MLA questions when Crapaud will see a new physician

Opposition members pushed government during Tuesday’s question period to speed up the timeline of recruiting a family doctor to the Crapaud area.

Borden-Kinkora MLA Jamie Fox asked the province when residents could expect a new physician in Crapaud.

He said that in the absence of a family physician, a community group has taken the initiative to plan a collaborative health centre and is working to recruit a doctor.

“South shore residents are working hard to fill the gap,” said Fox. “This community has really come together and stepped up in response to the loss of a local doctor.”

Health Minister Robert Mitchell said the province has been working with the community group. Mitchell said the province was also looking at adding new nurse practitioners to its complement on P.E.I.

“That has a potential for something in the works in Crapaud,” said Mitchell.

Currently, a new medical clinic is being built at the South Shore Pharmacy in Crapaud, which holds walk-in clinics and has a visiting nurse practitioner and registered nurse. However, the community is still searching for a family doctor after the departure of Dr. Joey Giordani earlier this year. Giordani had taken over the 2,300-patient practice of Dr. Henrik Visser in July 2017.

In October, Giordani announced he would randomly cut 250-500 patients to fit what he deemed was the national average. He later moved his practice to Cornwall before announcing in May that he would be leaving his practice.

Mitchell said the position for a physician has been posted and the province is waiting for responses back. He also said he was supportive of having a “collaborative practice” in the area.

“South shore residents are working hard to fill the gap … This community has really come together and stepped up in response to the loss of a local doctor.”

Borden-Kinkora MLA Jamie Fox