Telegraph Journal editorial highlights physician shortages in rural N.B.

The Telegraph Journal believes a physician shortage in rural parts of the province is creating a barrier to healthcare access and says it found rural communities have to offer financial incentives, beyond a good salary, to attract doctors. The Brunswick News report found small municipal governments are offering cash bonuses, free rent and office equipment to attract physicians to their communities. It highlights a New Brunswick Health Council report that found patients were having a harder time accessing their doctor in a reasonable timeframe, pushing more patients into overloaded emergency rooms. The newspaper argues that the province needs to increase the number of medical seats to attract and retain more doctors.