![['Dr. Brian Ferguson.']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/dr-ferguson-named-rural-physician-of-th-2634470.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=enhance%2Cformat%2Ccompress)
AMHERST, N.S. - Outspoken Amherst physician Dr. Brian Ferguson and Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey finally got a chance to talk about health care on Thursday.
The Amherst doctor, who has threatened to leave his practice over what he sees as the degradation of services at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, had an hour-long conversation with the minister.
“It was a very good conversation,” Ferguson told the Amherst News on Friday. “We talked not just about the situation in Cumberland County specifically but about the situation across Nova Scotia, like in Sydney where they are getting hammered.”
Ferguson, who issued his ultimatum a couple of weeks ago to depart the province, was front and centre during a health-care rally Wednesday evening on the front lawn of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.
“We should be able to provide interventional health care to sick people within one and a half hours of their home. I think Randy Delorey will deliver that and saying that I believe that proves the worthiness of our hospital and protects us,” Ferguson said. “I think the tide will change that way.”
He is urging Health and Wellness, Doctors Nova Scotia and the provincial recruiter to get together and find a solution. He thinks it’s possible.
Delorey said he’s well aware of the situation faced by staff at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre and his department is working with the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the provincial recruiter to alleviate the pressures.
“I’ve been up to Amherst and Cumberland regional a number of times over the summer. Earlier in the summer I heard from the nurses in the medical unit who had some concerns,” Delorey said. “The feedback was positive and the NSHA has responded in a way that they were listened to and heard.”
The minister said he has heard from community groups and professionals who have concerns. People have suggestions and he’s open to hearing them.
“There are a lot of things underway and there are a number of things that are being evaluated, looked at and be readied to roll out,” he said. “There is a lot of work to be done and we are working on it.”
Among the initiatives already announced was the hiring of a second doctor recruiter for the northern zone, while two of 10 new spaces for Dalhousie University’s Family Residency Training Program will be in Amherst.
His department has funded six nurse practitioners and five family practice nurses for the northern zone over the last two years and is changing the way the medical unit at Cumberland regional is staffed to better meet the needs of patients, it is offering an emergency shift premium to help fill hard-to-fill ER shifts and is enhancing its locum program to help with short and long-term vacancies at the regional hospital.
He said the residency program should pay dividends because 75 per cent of those doctors tend to stay in the area they completed their residency training. He’s optimistic that will be the case in Amherst.
“When these residents are doing their training they will be providing primary care under the supervision of a family physician that’s supporting them in providing care to the people of Cumberland and the other areas,” he said. “In addition, when they finish their training they’re more likely to stay and set up practices in those communities.”
Delorey said he is committed to working to improve the situation across the province, but stressed solutions won’t happen overnight because many of the issues have been building over years.
He also said local community organizations, such as Cumberland’s task force, do have a role to play in recruiting by helping sell their community to potential recruits.
“They provide value in working with the recruiting team at the NSHA. It’s a great opportunity for collaboration,” the minister said.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
