One step forward, and one step back.

The Medical Association says since January 1st, there have been 43 new full-time positions come to the province or transition from learner to physician, but over the same period, we lost 45 full-time doctors due to retirement or outmigration.

NLMA President Dr. Lynette Powell says the average age of a family physician in this province is 48, while 27 per cent of practicing family physicians are over the age of 55, and 10 per cent are over the age of 65, many of whom are in their 70s and 80s.

“We have no choice” but to find means to attract young doctors to this province if we have any hope of replacing those who will retire in the near future, says Powell.

Powell says the province has relied heavily on international medical graduates to fill vacancies. They currently make up to 40 per cent of the province’s physician workforce but licencing changes are going to make it even tougher to fill and keep physicians in those essential positions says the NLMA President.