Kenneth J. Egan
Dear sir:
The headline in our local Fort Frances Times on March 10, 2010 read “Community effort key to doctor drive.”
This was followed by a comprehensive article on a report by Geoff Gillon, for which he is to be commended.
The “community effort” suggestion seems to overlook the many major projects brought to fruition, to better our community, by various groups of citizens who recognized a need.
While there was not always unanimous agreement as each project went forward, all projects—with the generous pledges of community citizens—have or are being completed.
These ambitious projects included “Care Close to Home” (for a CAT scan machine), the Townshend Theatre (a great facility to promote drama, dancing, and the arts), the Ice For Kids Arena (a second-to-none sports complex to encourage kids to be busy enjoying hockey, swimming, squash, and body conditioning), and a new library and technology facility which is shaping up as another jewel in the tapestry of our community.
In addition, volunteers have organized various charitable benefits to assist needs of citizens who might otherwise be overwhelmed by costly medical bills or unfortunate circumstances.
One also should mention the many spaghetti suppers, fish frys, and other activities when friends help friends and neighbours.
It should be remembered that our community is made up of the entire Rainy River District, including Emo, Rainy River, Atikokan, and Nestor Falls. Everyone has contributed to, and benefited from, the generosity of the citizens.
A further indication of the forward thinking of citizens has been the action of our public school board, which is in the process of building a new Robert Moore School here to bring modern educational techniques to the children of the community.
There also are service clubs whose members finance playgrounds and other activities, which improve life in our community. Volunteers also have developed two cross-country ski trails—one here in town and the other just east of town—to challenge the outdoors people.
So when it comes to “community effort,” it would seem the population likes living here and is more than willing to do its share.
A major recommendation in Mr. Gillon’s report is to have the existing doctor recruitment and retention committee to appoint an executive committee. This committee would consist of representatives of the Family Health Team, the Nelson Medical Professional Corp., the Town of Fort Frances, and La Verendrye Hospital.
Well, out in the community there is much trepidation amongst the citizens/taxpayers because most do not know who or what the Family Health Team or the Nelson Medical Professional Corp. are, nor the benefits which they bring either to the doctors or their patients/taxpayers who ultimately are the main considerations.
What the community members do know is that they have a very high regard and respect for doctors and nurses because they know there will be a need for their skills at some time.
What causes the anxiety is the difficulty of accessing a doctor in their moment of distress.
On the street, the feeling is that the Town of Fort Frances has some control of the clinic because they injected $1 million into the situation, as suggested by the former committee looking into the health problems of the community.
This is obviously a misconception. At a recent council meeting, Mayor Avis explained that the elected members of the town agreed to advance a million dollars, interest free, to a board of directors, that the loan was in good standing, and that’s all that concerned the town fathers.
He did not say who the board of directors represented or were accountable to.
Rumours and innuendo are rife in the community. There is speculation that there are now two businesses operating from the clinic, which people on the street thought was now going to be the Fort Frances Community Clinic and available to all doctors.
Is it conceivable that recruited doctors are being asked to buy into a clinic in order to join the local health professionals? Wouldn’t this discourage a medical graduate from settling here, when they no doubt have incurred enough debt from their education costs as well as establishing homes and a family?
A second article in the same edition of the Times outlined factors involved in the doctor recruitment process. Heading the list was spousal employment.
This brought to mind a doctor who was located here and who had done such a good job performing his procedures that he had a large following of satisfied patients. Lo and behold, he decided to move one.
The word out in the community was that there wasn’t satisfactory spousal employment. Such a shame as local patients now travel to his new location for his expertise.
Perhaps the first thing the “committee” should do is advise the community of the functions of the Family Health Team and the Nelson Medical Professional Corp. Perhaps the “town” should also explain, in layman’s language, how the million dollars was dispersed and to whom.
There is a general feeling that our doctor shortage is sliding towards a crisis. There is general dissatisfaction with the present system.
After all, the taxpayers are the patients and, therefore, one of the most important stakeholders.
Individual residents will support any project beneficial to the community. They have proven this in the past.
By the same token, they should be entitled to understand what they are supporting.
One of the largest group of volunteers have presented the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship annually, and have actively promoted the community and Rainy Lake.
Further proof of their love of the area in which they live. Well done!
Health is the greatest wealth!
Without prejudice,
Kenneth J. Egan
Member of the
Rainy River
District community
