Secondly, Written Question 27-20, Physician Recruitment and Retention.
The recruitment and retention of physicians is one of the most significant challenges facing the Northwest Territories health system. Ensuring that the Government has capacity to recruit, orient, and retain physicians is essential to maintaining stable healthcare services across the territory.
My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services:
- Would the Minister provide the number of positions within the Department of Health and Social Services and the health and social services authorities that are dedicated specifically to the recruitment and orientation of new physicians, as well as the retention of existing physicians?
- What lessons were learned from the temporary physician bidding initiative used to fill shifts at Stanton Territorial Hospital, that will be incorporated into future efforts at recruitment and retention of both locums and contract physicians. And,
- What recruitment and retention initiatives does the department or do health authorities have that specifically target physicians, and what measurable impacts have been observed to date as a result of these initiatives?