Central Peace-Notley MLA Todd Loewen says the news of new doctors coming to Fairview is “long overdue.”
He adds that while that is good for the region, other communities such as McLennan are still needing doctors.
“They did have another doctor come in here just this summer. That’s helped a little bit but they’re still short there too. Obviously when doctors take time off and they can’t get the locums to cover them, then what’s happened is the emergency rooms get shut down. That’s not acceptable in rural Alberta.”
Loewen says he’ll continue to press the government on the issue of rural doctors.
“I think a lot of times when we bring in younger doctors, they come in and start their families and get settled into the community, they’re more likely to stay. Of course, we’ll take any doctors we can to get into rural Alberta where they’re needed. That’s one of the keys is to get doctors where they’re needed.”
Both Fairview and McLennan have seen hospital emergency room closures in recent weeks.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
