Ontario is introducing an initiative that will help attract physicians for residents in Kingston and The Islands.

The province is introducing the Postgraduate Return of Service Program, in which international medical graduates agree to practise for five years in any Ontario community, except the Toronto area and Ottawa, in exchange for postgraduate training opportunities. Previously, these doctors were restricted to practising in rural and northern communities for five years, following graduation.

Ontario is also increasing access to family health care for all by adding 50 Family Health Teams and 25 Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics across the province by 2011.

QUOTES

“This initiative will provide the opportunities and incentives to increase the availability of health care for residents. And that means encouraging more doctors to relocate here and ultimately ensuring better health care in Kingston and The Islands.”

John Gerretsen, MPP, Kingston and The Islands

QUICK FACTS

§ After graduating, the new graduates will be able to choose among eligible communities, and the terms of the working arrangements are then negotiated between the community and the doctor.

§ It’s expected that 175 new international medical graduates will begin practising each year through return-of-service programs this year and in 2011 and 2012. After that 185 will start practising annually.

§ Through the government’s expansion of medical education, 38 per cent more undergraduate school spaces will be created by 2011/12.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about the government’s move to create more Family Health Teams and Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics.

Read more about Health Care Connect which helps Ontarians find a family health care provider.

For more information contact:

John Gerretsen, MPP

Kingston and The Islands

613-547-2385