Dr. Chip Bantock says patients are still struggling to find a family doctor in the region (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

DOCTOR SHORTAGE

Doctor shortage still a ‘crisis,’ despite survey that indicates otherwise

Jun 21, 2019 | 5:23 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kevin Roode appreciates having someone like Dr. Chip Bantock. Before moving back to Sun Peaks, he struggled to find a family doctor in Kamloops.

“I had to go to either an urgent care clinic because a doctor wasn’t available,” said Roode. “No doctors were taking new patients. I would have to go to the ER at Royal Inland Hospital.”

Roode says the Sun Peaks Health Centre is accommodating to people who need immediate care.

Dr. Bantock sees 25 patients a day when he’s practicing in Sun Peaks. He says the region is still in ‘crisis’ with a lack of doctors.

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“They do their family practice residency, but they may end up becoming hospitalists or they may work in emergency or they may go into some more specialized type of family practice,” noted Dr. Bantock.

That sentiment is in direct contrast to a survey released this week by the Thompson Division of Family Practice. The survey included surrounding communities like Barriere and Sun Peaks.

Among 444 respondents, 85 per cent indicated they are attached to a doctor in the region.

“I think there’s still struggles,” said Dr. Bantock. “I think in our interviews of people, we just fell on those who did have a family doctor.”

Councillor Kathy Sinclair says from a city perspective, ensuring Kamloops has attractive amenities is key.

“We definitely look back to our council strategic plan and the quality of livability,” said Sinclair. “So what can we do to increase the livability here that will attract more professionals? That could be everything from ensuring we have recreational facilities, arts and cultural facilities.”

Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian, who’s also the chair of the TNRD hospital board, says the construction of the Patient Care Tower will be a big help in attraction and retention.

“Docs like to practice in state-of-the-art facilities and this will be a state-of-the-art facility,” he said. “I think there’s a community of interest between family practitioners and specialists that will be stronger because of new ORs and new patient care space.”

The survey also revealed 6,500 people in the region are on the 8-1-1 waitlist for a family doctor.

Roode calls himself lucky to have such great health care close to home in Sun Peaks.