New compensation package needed to recruit ER doctors to Saint John

The acting head of the Saint John Regional Hospital's emergency department wants health officials to finalize a new compensation package for ER doctors by next week.

Dr. John Dornan said he hopes to recruit new doctors at an emergency medicine conference in Toronto on Wednesday, but says a key component to his package is still missing.

He said having an academic funding package to compensate doctors for their non-clinical work is crucial.

"I need to be able to describe the specifics of an [academic funding program] for people to consider coming here," he said.

"If I go to Toronto with a very attractive video, but can't tell possible recruits the specifics, it's a wasted effort."

The shortage of emergency room physicians in Saint John became a flashpoint recently when the Sussex Health Centre's emergency room had to be shut down over the weekend as its emergency room doctor had to cover a shift in the regional hospital.

Health Minister Michael Murphy said he doesn't want the Sussex emergency room closed again, and has asked the chair of the Regional Health Authority B to explain why the facility had to be shut down.

The Saint John Regional Hospital is supposed to have 22 emergency specialists, but only has nine.

Lack of funding program has cost doctors

Dornan said one of the doctors who wanted to come to Saint John got tired of waiting and accepted a job somewhere else.

David Balmain, executive director of New Brunswick Medical Society, the organization that represents doctors in the province, said the society is working on the issue with the Department of Health, but it could take until the end of June before any decisions are finalized.

"I can definitely say no, it will not be ready by next week [before the recruitment conference] unless government has something they'd like to provide me with that I haven't been made aware of to this point," Balmain said.