'Extremely frustrating': Nanaimo residents discuss grappling with family doctor shortage
CTV
People in one of Vancouver Island’s largest cities are expressing frustration with their ongoing searches for family doctors – which has been an issue province-wide. Nanaimo, B.C., resident Nancy Smith says she’s been looking for a new family physician since her doctor retired in July 2019 – and calls the current search "appalling."
Nanaimo, B.C., resident Nancy Smith says she’s been looking for a new family physician since her doctor retired in July 2019 – and calls the current search "appalling."
"As I’m getting older I would really like to secure a doctor before I need a doctor," she told CTV News on Thursday.
The 59-year-old is relying on virtual apps like Telus Health for prescription refills. She says she’s avoided walk-in clinics like the one at Port Place Shopping Centre downtown.
By 11 a.m. Thursday morning, the clinic had a board up saying it would take 15 people at 5:30 p.m.
"Anything I’m going for, it doesn’t feel like an emergency so I don’t want to take up other people’s time with the doctors," said Smith.
She worries about the lack of routine screenings that’ve fallen off the radar since losing her doctor.
"And potentially that could be life-threatening," she added.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog says even though the matter falls under provincial jurisdiction, he fields calls from residents asking for help finding physicians who may be taking patients.
