The waitlist for a new family doctor is just under 1500 names long, down from 2100 a year ago. It is expected to be half again by March.

“But it’s a moving target,” said Adam Hambly, Physician Recruiter with County Docs. As people watch the list shrink, they are motivated to put their names down. 

A new recruit, Dr. Liam Portt, has opened a practice in Wellington, taking over the patient roster of a recent retiree. 

The hundreds of County residents now connected with a doctor is the result of the Health Care Connect Premium program, a municipally-funded pilot approved by Council last year. 

The program was initially funded to support four physicians with premiums of $25,000 to roster 250 new patients from the Health Care Connect portal in 2023. 

But all four premiums were soon accessed. More funding was approved in 2024.

Doctor Whisperer

With a primary care shortage across the country, Mr. Hambly’s targeted recruitment efforts help potential new doctors picture settling here, and fast-tracks both their professional practice — and personal lives. 

One way of doing this is to make a strong first impression for potential recruits. 

“From a hospitality and site visit perspective, we score really high,” says Mr. Hambly, who aims to make site visits feel both structured and organic, opening the door for doctors to experience the County.

Once new recruits have signed on, retention is key.

There isn’t a “cookie cutter approach” to either retention or recruitment. Aside from a couple of team building events, physician engagement is built around specific needs and interests. 

County docs might help new doctors find a home and office space, but it might also connect them with sports, recreation groups and other quality-of-life supports.

“I’m a glorified hand holder,” Mr Hambly says. 

He doesn’t identify himself as a recruiter. A licensed respiratory therapist, he stepped into the role after building a regional lung health program for Hastings Prince Edward before being tapped to head up County Docs in 2022. 

Heading into its third year, County Docs has new outreach initiatives planned for 2025, including a targeted marketing campaign to reach new demographics. 

County Docs is also developing a Practice Improvement Grant to support doctors’ offices with medical equipment and new programs to improve patient care.