BR NS Geriatric Doctors – CP

Source: The Canadian Press – Broadcast wire
Jun 10, 2016 6:38

SYDNEY, N.S. – A psychiatrist who treats elderly patients says geriatric medicine in Cape Breton is facing significant challenges because of a lack of doctors.

Jeanne Ferguson says two full-time geriatric medicine positions have gone unfilled for almost a year.

She says that as a geriatric psychiatrist, she tries to cover as much of the area as she can since they are having trouble attracting people.

Ferguson says she trains medical residents in geriatrics in the Sydney area because there isn’t anyone else to do it.

She says that means she and other specialists, like surgeons, are helping some patients with their prescriptions because they don’t have family doctors.

Ferguson estimates that at least 16 doctors are leaving the region this summer, including a number of specialists.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority has said 10 doctors are set to go to Cape Breton, including a mix of new graduates and doctors.

(Cape Breton Post)

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(Sydney Cape Breton Post)

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