St. Stephen proposes financial incentives to attract doctors

St. Stephen, a town in New Brunswick, is taking action to attract doctors by offering direct financial incentives. The town council plans to vote on a proposal to provide payments to family physicians, specialists, and nurse practitioners. The proposed package includes $125,000 for new family doctors and international medical graduates, $75,000 for specialists, and $10,000 for nurse practitioners. The payments would be given in installments over five years, requiring a full-time commitment. Mayor Allan MacEachern emphasized the town's ongoing struggle to find doctors, with about four positions currently unfilled. He noted that St. Stephen has only seven licensed family doctors, and many in the community lack access to primary care. Other local communities have tried various methods to recruit doctors, like funding scholarships. MacEachern believes cash incentives could be more appealing. He has faced difficulties in negotiations without financial tools to encourage doctors to settle in St. Stephen. While the town is eager to attract new healthcare workers, there are concerns about the licensure process and competition with offers from health authorities. The provincial government has plans to open new clinics in the area, which MacEachern sees as a positive development. The Union of the Municipalities of New Brunswick supports St. Stephen's innovative approach and highlights the need for municipalities to find ways to enhance healthcare recruitment. Dr. Lise Babin, president of the New Brunswick Medical Society, praised St. Stephen’s efforts and noted that financial incentives can significantly influence a doctor's decision to practice in a community.