Prince Edward Island’s Minister of Health has revealed that the anticipated unveiling of a new community health center in Summerside is set for early next year. However, concerns have been raised by Tyler DesRoches, a Progressive Conservative MLA, regarding the recruitment of doctors to staff the facility.
DesRoches expressed the observations of Summerside-Wilmot residents who have been monitoring the development of the former trade school site on Granville Street for the past few years. The construction and demolition work to establish the new health center at this location commenced in 2022.
During a session at the P.E.I. Legislature, DesRoches inquired about the timeline for when Summerside locals can start utilizing the services at the new center. He emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the opening, questioning whether it would have a soft or full launch.
Health Minister Mark McLane disclosed that the $23 million facility is expected to offer primary care, mental health services, a provincial geriatrics program, public health nurses, and dental services. McLane anticipates the center to be operational by March and highlighted the positive impact of new facilities in attracting physicians.
DesRoches acknowledged the provided opening timeline but expressed apprehensions about the staffing of the health center, particularly in terms of securing family doctors. He highlighted concerns about prolonged emergency room wait times and the lack of accessible walk-in clinics in Summerside.
McLane emphasized that while the province is enhancing incentives for doctors to work at Prince County Hospital, the decision on where to practice ultimately lies with the individual physicians. DesRoches suggested the establishment of a dedicated recruitment team for the county to attract and retain doctors in western P.E.I.
McLane reiterated the province’s commitment to a comprehensive recruitment strategy across the Island, emphasizing the objective of bringing physicians to P.E.I. without creating competition among different regions. DesRoches reiterated the potential benefits of a recruitment team for Prince County in promoting Summerside as an appealing location for healthcare professionals.
In conclusion, McLane emphasized the importance of maintaining a unified recruitment approach for the entire island, focusing on the collective goal of enhancing healthcare services across all facilities.