The City of Cold Lake has doctors on the brain. Council recently sat down to discuss ways to bring new physicians into the community for the hospital. The roster of doctors in the city currently sits at 12 with one expected to leave for another position. Mayor Craig Copeland says council has been working with groups to see that number rise.
“Council has tried to work with the doctors locally and in the service area. Whatever they need to improve their services at the hospital.”
The city has met with reps from Alberta Health Services to talk about a few more doctors in the community. Copeland says doctors that do work in Cold Lake love the community, it’s just a matter of getting them there in the first place.
“We’ve got an incentive program that’s in place. When doctors are out there recruiting they know the city has an incentive plan. Hearts for Healthcare has been great as well.”
Council has decided the next step will be a dinner meeting with doctors in the community to hear more feedback on how recruitment could increase. Copeland says if the physicians agree that more doctors are needed, then plans will be set in motion to hire more.