After years of frustration, Regina doctor closing clinic doors: ‘It’s done’

The clinic closure notice prompted the Saskatchewan Opposition to raise the issue in question period, where they noted a recent decline in 'fee for service' doctors.

After more than a decade meeting the medical needs of thousands of Regina residents, a clinic in the south end of the city is closing its doors.

Its owner says inadequate government support is to blame, and she thinks more clinic closures are likely to follow without change.

“I can count many times where I’ve taken an hour with a patient, and what I bring home for that hour, after I pay my expenses and overhead, is less than minimum wage,” Dr. Tomi Mitchell told Global News Thursday.

“We talk about a minimum wage for our valued front-line workers. Wake up Saskatchewan, we are in trouble.”

Mitchell penned a letter Tuesday to Pasqua South Medical Centre patients detailing her decision.

In it, she said “running a medical practice is extremely challenging as family practices are labour intensive. I have tried for years to find a solution to this dilemma, but some of the solutions are out of my control.”

The issue was brought to the legislature Thursday where opposition leader Ryan Meili suggested the closure is symptomatic of a larger trend in need of immediate addressing.

“Dr. Mitchell penned a heartbreaking letter to her patients. She’s closing her practice. What is this government’s plan to stop the exodus of health-care workers from our province caused by their actions at a time when we need their services more than ever?” Meili asked in question period, adding that Ministry of Health data shows a decline of 82 “fee for service” physicians between 2018 and 2021.