Tofield and area at “critical time” for health services

Health services in Tofield and area are at a “critical time” with the loss of yet another doctor, states Cyndy Heslin, the chair of the Tofield and Area Health Foundation Board, who is active on the Doctor Recruitment and Retention Committee.

Heslin was referring to the loss of Dr. Marina Sapozhnikov, who is leaving the community as of April 30. This means there is only one doctor left in Tofield, Dr. Richard Hackett, who will have the difficult job of trying to serve the entire community and surrounding area himself.

“As of April 30, 2013 we will be down to one doctor in Tofield,” Heslin said. “This will be a huge strain on the only doctor left, so the Recruitment and Retention Committee met with Alberta Health Services on Feb. 4 to see what options are out there for (acquiring) doctors.”

Heslin, along with Tofield parent Deborah Woodford, were both interviewed by Edmonton’s Global TV last week about the doctor shortage in the Tofield area. The segment aired the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 6.

By Patricia Harcourt
Editor

For more see the Feb. 20/13 issue of the Tofield Mercury