How Capital Health will deal with impending retirement of doctors

Currently 13 community-based family physicians and 1 nurse practitioner serve 24,000 citizens in Hants West. Several physicians are near retirement. Most practices are not accepting new patients. Residents have limited urgent and after hours access.
  At Hants Community Hospital, physicians from outside the community currently provide emergency coverage. Only a small group of family physicians provide in-patient care.
  At the October 14 meeting of Hantsport's Committee of the Whole ((COW), two Capital Health staff represented the previous as the current situation.
   They then described the three prong proposed solution.
1. An integrated Family Practice Network and a team-based approach to care. This begins in Fall 2013 in Hantsport and Hants Shore. 
2. Chronic Disease Management. This may include more nurse practitioners. To start in Winter 2104.
3. A wellness program. To start 2014/15.
   The Capital Health representatives assured council there was no threat to the Hantsport practise. To replace retiring physicians, Capital Health is considering recent medical school graduates.