Province expands recruitment efforts for physiotherapists in rural P.E.I.

The provincial government says it hasexpandedits efforts to recruit physiotherapists to the Island after the Official Opposition asked about vacancies duringquestion period Thursday.

PC MLA Colin LaVieasked the health minister if he had managed to recruit a physiotherapist for SourisHospital after a need for one was identified during a tour they took together.

Minister of Health and Wellness Robert Mitchell acknowledged a gap across P.E.I. and said an incentive program has been developed to bring more physiotherapists to the province.

The program offers recent physiotherapy graduates $20,000, in addition to their salary, to work in hospitals in rural areas for at least three years.

Mitchell said they've managed to recruit three since the program began, one of which will be heading to Souriswhile the other two are already inWest Prince.

"Physiotherapists are in large demand all across the nation so this is a good program we put forward to entice them to come to P.E.I.," he said.

The minister said even with the new recruits, there will still be gaps that need filling.Right now, 10.5full-time equivalentphysiotherapistpositions arevacant on P.E.I.

"We will be in reasonable shape in the West Prince area but we'll continue to work with non-government organizations that employ physiotherapists to come in and help fill those needs and gaps."

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