WINNIPEG

Number of physicians working in Manitoba rises to more than 2,500

CTV Winnipeg Published Friday, November 9, 2012 11:42AM CST Last Updated Friday, November 9, 2012 3:29PM CST

The province and health officials held an announcement on Nov. 9, 2012 about the number of doctors working in Manitoba.

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The provincial government touted successes Friday of its programs aimed at boosting the numbers of doctors working on Manitoba.

The province said there are 66 more physicians working on Manitoba in 2012, bringing the total number of doctors to 2,538.

"Having more physicians choosing to practise in Manitoba further strengthens our health-care system and benefits patients by reducing waits for care and improving access,” said Dr. Brock Wright, chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

Health Minister Theresa Oswald pointed towards expanded medical school spaces, a tax rebate program to reimburse students, financial grants and programs aimed at helping international medical graduates get conditional registration to work in Manitoba as some of the factors helping increase physician numbers in the province.

"With investments in expanded medical training, new recruitment grants and improvements in health care, more doctors are choosing to practise in Manitoba at record levels,” said Oswald.

The province also announced Manitoba has hired 11 new physician assistants during the past year to help improve "team-based care for Manitoba families."