Locum housing seen as key to keeping medical facilities open

By Ken Johnston
Editor

About 50 residents from Rainy River, Dawson, Lake of the Woods and Morley Townships attended a public meeting on housing needs for locum doctors last Wednesday.
Dr. David Singleton started things off explaining why there is a need for good quality housing for locums and the explanation goes beyond the needs of visiting locums. It has more to do with keeping the full time doctors at the Rainy River Clinic and Health Centre from burning out.
Singleton noted that the Ministry of Health has two contracts for doctors in Rainy River. For each of those it alots 37 days (total of 74) that it will pay for a locum to come into the community so that Dr. Beller and Dr. Singleton can have time off for personal reasons and for furthering their education. Anything over those 74 days per year, Singleton and Beller have to pay out of their own pockets.
Singleton explained that in addition to their regular work days at the clinic the two doctors do a 1& 2 coverage of the Emergency Room at the Rainy River Health Centre. That means one night Beller covers it and the next Singleton. MoH provides extra money for covering the ER, in addition to their regular salaries.
The only drawback to the ER is there is no backup. If a major accident happens they are the only doctor on hand to deal with perhaps multiple injuries on multiple patients. “I remember a truck accident in which three people were injured. Dr. Beller called me and fortunately I was home and able to come in and help him.”
Some locums are not comfortable with having to cover the ER with no back up. “The clinic and long term care are no problem. We have a happy environment to work in thanks to the great administration by Dr. Beller,” said Singleton. There are a small group of locums that have the skill-sets to handle the ER, clinic and LTC. But they are being competed for.
Apparently other communities have already addressed the accommodations issue. At least two others in Northwestern Ontario have top notch accommodations on the water for locums. “These people (locums) travel all over and quickly find out where the best places are to work,” said Singleton. In his, Dr. Beller and Dr. Chu’s opinion, Rainy River’s biggest asset is the river itself. “There are no fancy restaurants and no fancy shopping here,” said Singleton. With that in mind the committee of the four townships working on this has explored several options.
Committee members are RR Mayor Deb Ewald and councillor Marilyn McAlister, Dawson Councillors Archie Wiersema and Aime Desaulniers, LoW Councillors Tony Sepers and Nancy Gate and Morley Reeve Gary Gamsby and councillor George Heyens looked at the options. Wiersema said they looked at several existing properties both on the water and close to the water that were near the hospital. “Each of them would need $75,000-$100,000 for them to be upgraded and constant upkeep. A new building would need less upkeep, explained Wieresema.
At present the locums and medical students visiting the community have been using an apartment. But the students get first dibs on it. At present Dr. Chu and her spouse have to stay in Baudette at a hotel until the students are gone.
With that in mind the new facility would be a duplex and have enough room for the students and a locum and their family. Gamsby said the committee is not looking to build a mansion. “We want something workable. A nice building that meets our needs.”
While noting concrete has been decided on, they have been tossing around a duplex that would have 1,570 square feet on the water. Sepers said, approximate costs are about $30,000 for a lot and about $150 per sq. ft. to construct. Together that is about $265,500 cost.
Singleton said it is crucial to ensure there is a steady flow of locums here. He noted that Dr. Beller is officially leaving the practise March 31, 2011. Dr. Chu, a regular locum here, is interested in taking half of Beller’s contract but only if the locum situation improves.
Singleton said that when they had a shortage of locums in 2003-05 he had considered leaving Rainy River. “I had my letter of resignation typed and signed. Then locums started coming again.”
Singleton said that the community has to have good accommodations and on the river would be the best. “Some have said the (current place to stay) is okay but not great. These are doctors and they are used to better.”
Singleton said that if locums have a good experience they may even think of coming to Rainy River permanently when needed. That is how he and his family ended up here. “Drs. Affleck and Beller needed some time off so I came with my family and stayed at Oak Grove Camp. We fell in love with it here!”
Singleton said, “I am willing to stay and work here the 1 & 2 on call and love it as long as I get time off.”
Several members of the public in attendance had concerns about how much it will cost them to build and operate the locum/med student home.
Singleton explained that the Medical School in Thunder Bay will pay the rent all year round for their part of the building. MoH pays the 74 days for the locums and Riverside Health Care Facilities has indicated it may be able to help with some of the rent shortfalls on the locum side.
The committee hopes to fund raise as to lessen the impact on area taxpayers. Dr. Singleton said he has always been impressed with how quickly the communities have been able to raise money for medical equipment and facilities.
Gamsby said, “Really we are not looking at a house for locums as much as we are looking at what we can do to attract doctors and keep the facility open!”
Singleton said that if there are not enough full time drs. to keep the 24 hour emergency open there is a risk it could be closed. He said that if MoH closes it, the community would likely not get it back.
Ewald said, “If we lose doctors, it will domino. We could lose the ER, acute care beds and our clinic. This would be a big blow to Rainy River and the area. Think of how far you would have to go if there was no ER?!”
Several citizens said that when they walked in the door to the meeting they were against spending money on a locum house. But many of them said afterwards they are 100% for it now that they know the stakes.
Even committee member Wiersema said, “Until a month ago I was not sure I was for this. Then Dr. Singleton explained it to the committee and I am now for it.”
Gill Stamler of Rainy River said, “I think it is absolutely essential we get behind this.”
Ralph Armstrong echoed Stamler, “We need to give the committee a vote of confidence and be behind this 110%.” That comment drew a round of applause from the crowd.
As for a time line on when a facility may become a reality Ewald and Gamsby noted that they are in the early planning stages and with municipal elections taking place this week, most councils will not be able to commit funding until December. In the mean time they wanted to have a public meeting to get a feeling from their constituents on this issue.
Once the committee decides on an option to pursue, each council will discuss it and vote on it. One citizen asked why the taxpayers do not get to vote on whether to pursue this or not. Sepers said that every citizen has a right to engage their municipal councils at their regular meetings and to vote for their councils every four years.
The committee is also exploring to see if there are any other funding avenues to help pay for the facility. Government grants, low interest loans and corporate sponsorships were mentioned.