The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today provided an update on his recent meeting with the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Family Physicians regarding primary care in the province. There was a great discussion on a number of important matters, with a particular emphasis on physician recruitment and retention.

Both parties recognize there are challenges that need to be addressed regarding the recruitment and retention of all healthcare professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador, including physicians. In an effort to promote better recruitment and retention strategies in rural parts of the province, government is in the process of establishing a Provincial Health Professional Recruitment and Retention Office to assist with development of a more comprehensive provincial approach to recruitment and retention. The recruitment of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, as well as other highly valued health care professionals, will be strengthened by this provincial approach to support and modernize new and existing human resource practices and programs.

Towards that goal, the Premier has established a new Assistant Deputy Minister of Health Professional Recruitment and Retention position. This position signals the importance of attracting healthcare professionals to the province and will be accountable for building a world-class recruitment and retention program, in partnership with key stakeholders, for health professionals with the appropriate skill sets and a desire to work in this province. The College is in agreement that this new role is a meaningful step towards improving recruitment and retention.

The individual will work with partners to develop meaningful strategies to address recruitment and retention of all healthcare professionals, including hard-to-fill positions, in both our urban and rural areas of the province. The job ad has been developed for this position and will be posted in the coming days.

The Premier and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador appreciate the input from unions and associations representing health care professionals across the province – including NAPE, the RNUNL, AAHP, and PANL – and are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with physicians. In conjunction with all stakeholders, the Provincial Government continues much-needed work to advance recruitment and retention of health care professionals.

In October 2021, the Provincial Government announced a number of immediate and interim steps to improve access to primary healthcare in Newfoundland and Labrador, while the important work of Health Accord NL to reimagine the system continued. The establishment of a Provincial Health Professional Recruitment and Retention Office was one of the measures announced.

Quotes
“I was pleased to meet with the College of Family Physicians and discuss matters of importance for them and, indeed, all residents of our province. We share the common goal of a collaborative and strategic approach to recruitment and retention of all healthcare professionals, including physicians. Our government greatly values the contributions family physicians make to our communities, and we look forward to continuing to work with the College and other stakeholders.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“We know we have recruitment and retention challenges in our health care system; some have been prevalent for some time and require significant change, some are related to our aging population and how we live, and still others have arisen from the pandemic. We also know that none of us can tackle these challenges on our own, and we need a collaborative approach to finding solutions that benefit us all. This office and new executive position are steps in the right direction.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services

“We thank the Premier for meeting with us to discuss the issues impacting all our citizens with the shortage Family Physicians in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are proud of where we work and live, and we want to share the benefits of working here with future physicians. The Newfoundland and Labrador College of Family Physicians is hopeful that this new government position is the start of a renewed commitment to family physicians, family medicine learners, and the health of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Dr. Christopher Patey
President, Newfoundland and Labrador College of Family Physicians

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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

Nancy Hollett
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 327-7878
nancyhollett@gov.nl.ca

Debbie Rideout
College of Family Physicians
709-728-5268
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