Tillsonburg updates its physician recruitment model

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tillsonburg council approved modifications to its Shared Physician Recruitment Model to better attract health professionals to the town.

A report from CAO Kyle Pratt at the Jan. 12 meeting outlined the changes, which were suggested to address the ongoing shortage of health-care professionals in Tillsonburg.

Whereas the prior model only had categories for a family physician operating in a practice in Tillsonburg, for a physician with clinic space at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH), and a physician working both in private practice and the hospital, the new model added a fourth category for a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners can receive a $5,000 incentive in exchange for agreeing to work for three years in town.

Financial compensation for physicians was also adjusted in the new model, with $30,000 provided for a family physician, $55,000 for a doctor working in the hospital, and $65,000 for a doctor working both at the hospital and at a clinic. In addition, another $5,000 will be provided in each doctor category if the person is moving from outside the province.

Funding for the incentives is from the town coffers for nurse practitioners and family physicians, and is split between the town and TDMH for doctors working in the hospital. There is currently $70,000 in the 2026 budget to fund these incentives.

Another change is the criteria for where the health care professional lives. Previously, the person receiving the incentive needed to live within 15 km of Tillsonburg. This was expanded to reside within 50 km of Tillsonburg to appeal to more people.

Council approved the changes without any questions.