P.E.I. losing only dermatologist

P.E.I.'s only dermatologist is retiring and will be wrapping up his practice in the next month or so.

Work has already begun to try to replace Dr. Jean Marc Klein, who has been the on the Island for several years.

"If you look over the past year, there looks to be about 800 people that are actively involved with a dermatologist," Dr. Richard Wedge, executive director of medical affairs for Health PEI, told CBC News Monday.

"Some of those would be active, and be required to go out of province. But the vast majority would be able to be looked after on a short-term basis with their family doctor."

Wedge said Health PEI has been active at recruitment fairs. Letters have also been sent to medical schools across the country that offer dermatology programs and are putting advertisements in magazines.

Wedge said there is also a family doctor with some training in dermatology who can see patients.