307 words / 1.5 min read

Premier Wab Kinew provided an update on his government’s plan to add 1,000 net new health providers this year, a plan that included 100 more doctors. The report was quite encouraging. 

📈 THE NUMBERS: Since April, the government reported a net increase of 1,255 healthcare workers:

• 138 more doctors, exceeding the 100-doctor goal

• 481 nurses

• 386 health care aides

• 176 allied health workers

WHY IT MATTERS: This could be a record-breaking year for physician growth. Our independent review of the numbers is very close to the government’s report.

Rewind: When the government promised 100 more doctors last spring, it was a commitment we called ambitious. 

• At that time, the average annual increase in the previous five years was just 60 doctors, and Manitoba had the second-fewest physicians per capita in the country. 

• We published an op ed outlining how Manitoba could achieve this goal.

The ambitious pledge, and resulting increase, followed extensive advocacy from Doctors Manitoba. We pushed for longer-term strategies like expanding medical school and residency spaces, along with shorter term actions like expanding out-of-province recruitment, and improving retention of existing physicians. 

The fiscal year isn’t over yet, and the number could still fluctuate. Manitoba still has a major doctor shortage, even with this increase. Plus, many existing physicians are considering retiring or moving away within three years. If you haven’t already, complete your annual member survey to help us monitor your plans and advocate for targeted recruitment. 

WHAT’S NEXT? There’s no doubt retention and recruitment need further improvements, but we are also stepping up our advocacy for actions that will have an immediate impact:

• Reducing administrative burden to free up your time

• Expanding team-based care in physician practices. 

• Other innovative steps like group visits and supporting more same/​next day visits.

💡See our full recommendations in our One Million Visit Plan.