Yorkregion.com - Georgina - Health council asks town to take control
Health council asks town to take control
Georgina
May 21, 2008 08:53 PM
Georgina’s health care sytem is in danger of falling behind when it comes to providing service, Georgina community health care council spokesperson Dr. Bob Bebbington warned.
Despite this dire prediction, however, the Georgina community health care council asked the town to take over its operation and assets.
The council no longer has the money to maintain the day-to-day operations that are costing about $50,000 a year, Dr. Bebbington said, adding council volunteers face enormous stress in trying to keep the organization afloat while fighting to recruit and keep new doctors.
“This is taking a huge toll,” he told councillors.
Georgina is short eight family physicians and that figure will likely get worse as the population grows, especially since 10 out of 18 doctors in Georgina are nearing 50 or older and contemplating reduced hours or retirement, he said.
Council voted to pay off $180,000 left on the mortgage for the Georgina Medical clinic in Sutton, which it had secured for the health council.
The town had $200,000 in reserve to secure the mortgage with the bank.
The remaining $15,000 was released to cover immediate operating costs.
Council and its health council will meet soon to plan the next step, including the proposal to take over the operation as a subcommittee of council, provide funding for operational costs and consider hiring a physician recruiter.