Residents Concerned After News 4 Of 5 Doctors Leaving Saskatoon-area Community

WARMAN, Sask. — Four of five doctors in a Saskatoon-area community are leaving town.

 

The physicians in Warman gave notice at the same time but plan to stagger their departures, with the last one leaving in late March.

 

Mayor Sheryl Spence says the community of 10,000 is disappointed and upset because the doctors who are leaving are considered good, well-respected physicians.

 

Spence says two of the doctors are moving to Saskatoon.

 

A recruiting committee is being formed to search for replacements and find ways to keep new doctors in Warman for longer periods of time.

 

Eleanor Painter, who is 80, says although her doctor isn't leaving, many of her senior friends will be without a physician come April.

 

“People are frightened because a lot of us are unable to get to Saskatoon to doctors. You have to be able to find a doctor in Saskatoon,”  Painter said.

 

She said it's difficult for seniors who can't drive to get to Saskatoon for appointments, adding she spent $70 every time she had to commute to Saskatoon.

 

Painter said many people will be left without medical care if more doctors aren't hired soon.

 

“You can't force doctors to come to a community,” she said. “I keep thinking, 'oh my goodness, I spent all my adult working years looking after patients and now when it's my turn, there isn't going to be anyone to look after me.'”