The lack of physicians in Thorold continues to be a headache for patients who are in search of a designated family doctor.
Earlier this year, three new doctors set up shop in Thorold after Niagara Region stepped in to help with the recruitment to serve the aging population in town – but it did not take long for the trio to reach its max capacity of enrolled patients.
On Tuesday night, Thorold city councillors rubbed their temples over the issue once again, as the retirement of long-time doctor Jeffrey Stinton approaches, and his patients being left without a point of care.
Coun. Nella Dekker urged her council colleagues to consider asking staff to look into ways that the city, in addition to the region, can offer incentives to attract physicians to town.
"The new doctors are not taking any new patients, and Dr. Sinton's retirement is really going to put some pressure on us," Dekker said, adding she had been approached by the Thorold Medical Clinic, that also has its searchlight out for new doctors.
The city previously offered an incentive package for physicians to move to Thorold of around $70,000 annually.
Thorold's manager of economic development will reach out to the region's physician recruitment officials to examine solutions to the issue.
