FRANCAIS

March 31, 2006

Regulation changes that support efforts to bring physicians to rural and northern Manitoba were announced today by Health Minister Tim Sale.

The province is supporting the plans by amending the Registration of Medical Practitioners Regulation under The Medical Act. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba proposed the amendments to allow temporary registration of physicians for up to 12 months in any 18-month period.

"This new regulation will give doctors who aren’t otherwise eligible for full registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons the opportunity to work in Manitoba on a temporary licence," said Sale. "These doctors will be able to practise on a short-term basis in communities where we know they are needed most."

Physicians eligible for temporary registration will include any physician previously registered in the Manitoba medical register as well as physicians who hold full registration as a physician in good standing in a Canadian jurisdiction other than Manitoba.

An applicant for temporary registration will also require a certificate from the minister of health stating the physician is needed to provide medical services in a specific geographical area or practice setting.

Physicians who plan to stay in Manitoba past the temporary registration period would have to obtain full registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons to continue practising in the province.

Sale noted this regulation change is another example of the government’s commitment to increasing the number of doctors working in Manitoba.

Since 1999, physician registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba has risen by 205 doctors to 2,242 in March 2006 from 2,037 in 1999.  In March 2006, there were 559 doctors licensed to practise in rural Manitoba, 61 more than in 1999. 

In 2001, the province also introduced the Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates, a program that helps foreign-trained doctors obtain medical licensure to practise as primary-care physicians in Manitoba. The number of spaces in the program will increase to 25 in 2007.

The Medical Student/Resident Financial Assistance Program, also introduced in 2001, provides financial assistance to medical students and residents in return for service in Manitoba upon completion of medical training. Through the programs, 454 students have received grants, 131 physicians have stayed in Manitoba and 62 recipients of grants will complete medical residency training and be available to return service in Manitoba this year.

"Since 1999, we have expanded the number of spaces in medical schools from 70 to 93 and have committed to increasing the total number of spaces to 100," said Sale. "We will continue to work with the regional health authorities and regulatory bodies to train, attract and retain doctors and other health-care professionals here in Manitoba."

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