Chatham-Kent and Essex County are short on doctors, and MPP Rick Nicholls fears the problem is only going to get worse.
With the untimely death of one physician, and several more set to retire, the province has deemed Kent and Essex counties as "high needs areas for doctors." This means physicians will be given incentives to move to the region.
"There will be funding opportunities made available for them, to make it more attractive to them to come to [the area] and set up their practices," says Nicholls.
Chatham-Kent-Essex's MPP adds the region is in a "crisis situation," when it comes to doctors. It's a problem that's growing with the aging population.
"People cannot go without having a family physician," says Nicholls. "I know many are without, this will help alleviate that situation, and hopefully shorten the wait time before people can [find] a physician."
Nicholls says up to 20 doctors can sign up for relocation in the program every month, to address high needs areas across the province.