Thorold City Council is taking another swing at solving the city's doctor shortage.
At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, Councillor Carmen DeRose asked that the city make a concerted effort to bring more physicians to Thorold.
“I know so many people in town that don’t have the best of health, that are struggling to find a doctor,” Councillor DeRose told council members. “They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease and I think we need to be the squeaky wheel.”
In his proposal, Councillor DeRose explained that he would like to see Regional Councillor Tim Whalen actively push the region on the issue, and he also wants the Mayor to send a letter to Niagara Health stressing the city’s need.
Councillor Mike De Divitiis brought up the idea of installing an incentive program to attract doctors.
“The City of Belleville did it,” he told fellow council members. “They had 150,000 dollars for a five-year commitment. Since they had that program they attracted 34 doctors.”
City Hall staff replied that there used to be a similar program in Thorold a few years ago.
“It was 70,000 dollars over a five year term,” The city’s Director of Finance Maria Mauro explained. “I believe we were able to attract three or four doctors during that time.”
Councillor Carmen DeRose said he was advised against such a program by the city’s previous Manager of Economic Development Marco Marino.
“I think there’s more cons than pros to it because a lot of times they just leave after the period,” Councillor DeRose said. “We can always look at other people that are doing it or best practices. I was advised against it.”
According to Councillor Henry D’Angela, incentive programs create competition amongst municipalities which is counterproductive for a region of Niagara’s size.
“Most of us visit doctors throughout the region depending on where you go for a hospital or special testing,” he told council members. “The financial incentives were good back then but I think things have changed dramatically subsequent to that.”
Ultimately, councillors voted to bring the issue to the region’s attention and a physician recruitment specialist will be asked to come speak at a future city council meeting.
