Manitoba's doctor shortage getting better, but still needs improvement
More doctors are practicing in Manitoba, but a physician advocacy group says it’s still not enough.
Doctors Manitoba released its annual report Thursday on physician resources in the province.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Winnipeg newsletters
It was compiled using data from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).
The report, titled Physicians in Manitoba (2024), found 133 doctors were hired in the province last year, the largest-ever net gain. It equates to a two percent increase per capita, the highest improvement country-wide.
However, the statistics also show a shortage of 346 doctors remains in the province.
Doctors Manitoba said the province is still in last place in Canada for the number of family doctors per capita.
“One of physicians’ top concerns has been the doctor shortage, because it leads to longer wait times for patients and that causes physicians distress and burnout,” said Dr. Randy Guzman, President of Doctors Manitoba in a press release. “Some of the physicians’ recommendations have been implemented, and we’re finally seeing improvements in doctor recruitment and retention, though this initial progress must be sustained with continued investments and relentless attention.”
The review also found 688 doctors are considering retirement or moving away in the next three years.
Doctors Manitoba said there is a clear need for Manitoba to improve the way it finds and keeps doctors working in the province.
Dr. Guzman said he would like to see a comprehensive review of how to solve the shortage.
“Leaving retention unaddressed risks undermining the improvements we have made in recruitment,” he said.
The review also found Manitoba ranks second last in Canada on physicians per capita, with 219 per 100,000 people. Four years ago, Manitoba used to be ranked fourth.
Manitoba also ranks third last on the number of specialists practicing in the province.
Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara is thrilled to see these numbers.
“It validates what we’ve already been saying and what we know,” they said. “That when you work together you can solve big challenges.”
Doctors Manitoba recognized a historic new funding agreement for doctors last year, under the PC government, as one factor that has helped address the shortage.
Asagwara said under the NDP administration, 116 new doctors have been hired in the province and that was due in part to the work happening in the newly-established recruitment and retention office.
When asked about doing a focused review Asagwara said the government is always assessing how well its investments and partnerships are doing.
“We’ve been on a listening tour meeting with doctors directly hearing what they have to say,” they said.
Asagwara said the government is already assessing the work it is doing on the doctors shortage to make sure it’s paying off.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Children's doctors reporting unusual increase in walking pneumonia cases in Canada
Children's hospitals across the country are seeing an unusual increase in the number of serious and more complicated cases of walking pneumonia affecting much younger patients, according to medical experts.
Teachers in Newfoundland and Labrador say violence is on the rise, averaging 22 incidents per school day
School staff are being struck more often, students are fighting more frequently, and police are increasingly being called to school grounds, according to data compiled and released this week by the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association.
'One of the most talked about words of 2024': This is Collins Dictionary's word of the year
Collins Dictionary has declared 'brat' -- the album title that became a summer-living ideal -- its 2024 word of the year.
NEW Canada and the U.S. share the world's longest border. Here's how the election could affect it
Spend just a few minutes at the border between Canada and the U.S. – the world's longest – and you'll see why trade is a vital lifeline.
B.C. landlord who evicted longtime tenant, hiked rent and re-listed unit ordered to pay $16K
A landlord from B.C.’s Lower Mainland who evicted a longtime tenant only to rent out the same unit months later for more money has been ordered to compensate him $16,480.
Canada's youngest dangerous offender, who sexually assaulted baby, seeks prison leave
A convict who became Canada 's youngest designated dangerous offender after sexually assaulting a three-month-old baby is seeking escorted leave from prison to attend Indigenous cultural ceremonies in Vancouver.
opinion Prince Harry, Meghan Markle take a different tack this time to the U.S. election
With a divided electorate about to head to the polls after a dramatic presidential campaign, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have taken a more neutral approach in the 2024 U.S. general election compared to 2020, writes royal commentator Afua Hagan in her column for CTVNews.ca.
Heidi Klum and Janelle Monae wear elaborate E.T. costumes for their Halloween parties
Heidi Klum and Janelle Monae opted for out-of-this-world Halloween costumes this year — both choosing to dress as the stubby alien E.T. for their parties on opposite coasts.
OPP investigating after razor found in northern Ont. child's Halloween candy
Police in northern Ontario say a razor blade was found in a child's candy on Halloween night.