Two physicians recruited for Barrington area

Dr. John O’Connor will be returning to Barrington Passage next July after practicing family medicine in northern Alberta for the past 13 years.

Dr. Lely Abud, who will be sponsored by Dr. Kenny Yee, is expected to arrive in January.

Dr. Abud is an International Medical Graduate (IMG) who has completed the Clinician Assessment for Practice Program (CAPP) allowing her to practice family medicine in Nova Scotia.

Under the agreement with Dr. Abud, the municipality will furnish an office and pay a grant equivalent to rent and two office staff for one year. In return, Dr. Abud agrees to practice in the area for four years.

Dr. Abud has also entered into an agreement with South West Health, which includes a bonus payable after four years. Her office will be adjacent to Dr. Yee’s office in the Barrington Passage Mini Mall.

As for Dr. O’Connor, who practiced medicine in Barrington Passage for nine years before heading to Alberta, he will be returning to area next July, following the high school graduation of his youngest son.

Under the agreement with Dr. O’Connor, the municipality is purchasing a home on his behalf in Port Clyde, maintaining and insuring it until he arrives “no later than July 31,� then selling it back to him at the purchase price.

Included in the agreement is the provision for a $10,000 grant per year for five years.

In return, Dr. O’Connor agrees to practice full time at the Community Medical Centre in Barrington Passage, and mentor at least one IMG a year for as long as possible.

Dr. O’Connor, who has family in the area, plans to settle in the area with his wife Charlene.

The agreements were approved at the Nov. 14 council session.

“I think taxpayers realize that often times in order to get service you’ve got to pay for it,� said Warden Louise Halliday.

“We’re not the only municipality trying to obtain doctors. If we didn’t have incentive packages we would be at the bottom of the pile,� she said.

The recruitment was made in cooperation with the community health care advisory committee, South West Health and the provincial Department of Health.