During their Feb. 5 District of 100 Mile House committee of the whole meeting, councillors discussed a letter they received from Enderby regarding the shortage of doctors.
Like Enderby, 100 Mile House is having trouble attracting and retaining physicians, and councillors realize having medical practitioners is critical for the residents' quality of life not only here but in the surrounding areas.
The main problem smaller rural communities are facing is getting doctors to move to the community and stay and raise their families.
Many communities are turning to internationally trained medical graduates (IMGs) to fill the rural void because British Columbia and other provinces just don't train enough doctors, and those who do graduate, are attracted to the larger cities in Canada, and in some cases, across the border into the United States.
However, the IMGs run into problems when they move to B.C. because they don't have the certification that's acceptable to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. (CPSBC).
In its letter, Enderby council noted its conversations with the CPSBC showed that significant barriers prevent B.C. from having IMGs with restricted licences that would allow them to practice in their specific area of qualifications either on a permanent basis or while they upgrade to full registration requirements.
Enderby council's letter noted the CPSBC had stated the hurdle is the college's lack of capacity and resources to assess the IMGs, and if they are found to have incomplete training, they are not able to access university programs to upgrade their skills.
Mayor Mitch Campsall said it is definitely a problem in 100 Mile and as the Enderby letter pointed out the barrier is at the CPSBC level. Campsall said he believed "liability is the big issue."
Councillor Ralph Fossum said it was a big concern and noted the CPSBC is "certainly not says 'yes' very much."
The mayor added it's a problem that's being dealt with in 100 Mile on a daily basis.
"We're working on one right now. A doctor is going through it right now and has gone to New York City to work.
Noting there are two local doctors working on recruitment and retention, Fossum suggested they ask these doctors to visit council to see if they have any suggestions on how council can get on board.
He then moved that council instruct staff to contact the doctors ask them to visit council, which was seconded by Coun. Dave Mingo and carried unanimously.