Council Takes Action to Strengthen Plan to Attract Family Physicians to Wasaga Beach

Town continues to tackle urgent need for family doctors by increasing financial incentive for family physicians to $100,000

WASAGA BEACH – The Town of Wasaga Beach is taking the next step to strengthen its plan to attract family physicians to its community. Council has voted in support of a staff recommendation to increase the financial incentive for family physicians who set up a practice in Wasaga Beach to $100,000.

The increased financial incentive is in addition to announcing a new community medical centre and after-hours clinic that will provide a state-of-the-art, zero overhead office space to family physicians looking to set up a practice in Wasaga Beach beginning in the fall of 2023.

The incentive would be available for up to four family physicians.

The funding would come from the town’s share of revenue from the Wasaga Playtime Casino,  and be spread out over four years, with the physicians receiving a payment of $50,000 in the  first year (or $200,000 for four physicians) and $12,500 for the years 2024 to 2026.

Quotes

Mayor Brian Smith: “Everything this Council is doing is focused on building a brighter future for our community and a stronger, more resilient Wasaga Beach for our full-time residents. Today, we’re taking further action to ensure our citizens have access to the primary care they need for themselves and their families. The Town of Wasaga Beach is in dire need of additional family  physicians, and increasing the financial incentive for family physicians who set up a practice in our community will help. The family doctor shortage is a complex challenge that is not unique  to our community, and that’s why we continue to work on regional partnerships while pursuing  innovative, local solutions.”

Angus Crawford, Georgian Bay Family Health Organization: “The Georgian Bay Family Health Organization and the Georgian Bay Family Health Team are very pleased to support the new community medical centre and after-hours clinic opening at 160 Beck St. this fall. This is a great opportunity to immediately expand access to various medical services for the Town of Wasaga Beach and surrounding communities. Now, with the addition of the Town's very strong financial incentive package, we hope to attract several new doctors that will in turn

help alleviate the extended wait times for patients to be assigned a new doctor. Together, the new clinic and financial incentives are an excellent example of finding new and creative ways to put resources to work for the health and benefit of everyone in the community.”