Timmins is putting up cash to help attract new doctors to town.
After hearing from the Timmins Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee (TPRRC), Timmins council has approved a three-year financial commitment to the physician start-up grant. It will see the city pay out $20,000 per new physician up to a maximum of $200,000 per year for three years.
The initiative was approved at the July 9 meeting and the money will be included in the 2025 budget.
TPRRC members talked about the start-up grant in June.
The goal is to offer new physicians $60,000 — $20,000 each from Timmins and District Hospital, the city, and industry partners.
"With both the hospital and municipal contributions confirmed, the TPRRC will now approach industry leaders to assist," reads a City of Timmins news release.
While Coun. Lorne Feldman supported the item, he also wants to make sure that the municipality keeps trying to get more equitable funding for healthcare in the region.
“I think it goes without saying we need to continue at all levels with all our partners to zealously advocate more contribution from the upper levels of governments, specifically the provincial level to help our community receive the healthcare it deserves,” he said.
Right now, Timmins needs 40 doctors. By 2029, that number could grow to 80 physicians.
“There is the potential for tens of thousands of residents to be without direct access to a family physician or required specialist,” said Mayor Michelle Boileau in a news release.
“We know there is already a large number of residents who are considered 'unattached patients'. Ensuring that we have adequate access to healthcare is imperative. With the projected growth in the mining and mining service sectors alone, supporting sustainable health services is one way that our industry leaders can also support their current workforce and recruitment.”
Other efforts are ongoing to attract new doctors to town.
Last month, the hospital and The Venture Centre announced a $150,000 interest-free loan for new physicians to start a practice in the city. The Timmins Physician Loan Incentive program that is offering up to 10 repayable loans per year to doctors relocating to the city.
