P.E.I. MLA Questions Staffing Plans for Summerside Health Centre

P.E.I.’s Health Minister, Mark McLane, has announced that a new community health centre in Summerside is set to open in March 2024. This $23 million facility, built on the site of a former trade school on Granville Street, aims to provide a range of services, including primary care, mental health support, and dental services. However, concerns have emerged regarding the recruitment of healthcare professionals to staff the centre.

During a recent session in the P.E.I. Legislature, Tyler DesRoches, the Progressive Conservative MLA for Summerside-Wilmot, voiced apprehensions about the government’s ability to attract sufficient doctors to the new facility. He highlighted the ongoing issues faced by local residents, including long wait times in emergency rooms and limited access to walk-in clinics. “No one seems to know when it’s going to open,” DesRoches remarked, questioning whether the opening would be a soft launch or a full-scale commencement of services.

The construction of the health centre has been underway since 2022, and DesRoches has noted the community’s eagerness for its completion. He expressed frustration that residents, some of whom have been on the provincial patient registry for years, are still waiting to be assigned a primary care provider. This situation raises concerns about potential future pressures on the emergency department at Prince County Hospital.

McLane acknowledged the importance of the new facility in attracting healthcare professionals. He explained that the province is implementing a provincewide family physician recruitment strategy, although the final decision on practice locations rests with individual doctors. The government is offering an additional $40,000 through a return-in-service agreement to incentivize physicians to work at Prince County Hospital, yet this strategy may not fully address the staffing shortages.

DesRoches proposed the establishment of a dedicated physician recruitment team for Prince County to enhance the appeal of the region for medical professionals. He emphasized that while many doctors are inclined to work closer to Charlottetown, a focused recruitment effort could demonstrate the benefits of living and working in western P.E.I.

McLane reiterated the government’s commitment to an Island-wide recruitment strategy. “We work with our physicians on what their specialty is, where they want to work,” he stated. “A rising tide raises all boats, so we’ll continue to focus on recruitment for all facilities.”

The dialogue surrounding the new health centre in Summerside underscores the critical need for effective healthcare staffing strategies as the community anticipates the opening of this vital facility. The situation reflects broader challenges in healthcare access across the province, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and recruitment to ensure that residents receive the care they need.