Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) is short just two family physicians, according to Jill Croteau, Niagara Region Public Health’s physician recruitment specialist. Croteau presented data to NOTL councillors, revealing that the Niagara region as a whole is short 106 family doctors, with 14% of current physicians over the age of 65.
While the town has made progress recruiting doctors, including 26 new physicians this year, Coun. Sandra O’Connor questioned whether the two-doctor shortage accurately reflects the needs of a town with a high senior population, where more complex healthcare is often required. Despite these concerns, the recent addition of a nurse practitioner has been praised as a valuable asset to the community’s healthcare system.
