Support sought for doctors covering ER shifts

Roseway Hospital Charitable Foundation seeking support for locum accommodations

The Roseway Hospital Charitable Foundation is hoping all five municipal units in Shelburne County will financially support an initiative started last year that is an enticement for locums cover- ing shifts at Roseway Hospital.

“Over the past year the Roseway Charitable Foundation in collaboration with the Municipality of Shelburne has provided financial assistance in securing lodging for locum (physicians) to stay overnight prior to their shift,” writes foundation chair Robert Legere in a letter sent to the municipal units. “Many of the locums who provide coverage in the emergency department have to travel great distances and are not compensated for their accommodations.”

In an interview, Legere said there were “probably around 40 to 50 instances” where locums were helped with lodging.

“Some of them are driving up to three hours to get here and wanted to come in the night before their shift,” he said. With travel expenses not covered it was a problem.

The foundation has set a budget of $18,000 for the next fiscal year and is asking each municipal unit to contribute on a per-capita basis.

“The emergency room is utilized by all residents of Shelburne County and having coverage in our Emergency Department is essential to the health care of Shelburne County,” wrote Legere.

Units are receiving the letter. The request was received by Barrington Municipal Council at their committee-of-the-whole meeting on Jan. 8, for instance, and was deferred until further information was available.