Incentives of up to $470K brings more than 50 new doctors to BC with another 60 in negotiations

The Ministry of Health says more than 50 new physicians have signed a contract to practice in the province.

As of Oct. 1, 54 new doctors will begin providing full-service primary care in communities across BC.

Another 60 family physicians are currently in discussions with the province about suitable clinic placements and the terms of their contracts.

Earlier this year, the province began offering new incentives to recent family medicine graduates through a new-to-practice contract program.

These incentives can offer up to nearly $500,000 to doctors who agree to sign the contract and practice medicine in BC.

This includes a base salary of over $295,000 for the first year plus a $25,000 signing bonus and up to medical training debt forgiveness of up to $50,000 for the first year and up to $20,000 for years two to five.

Additionally, doctors will receive a $75,000 payment to go towards the overhead costs for their host clinic.

The Ministry of Health states that these incentives, in addition to a $118 million in stabilization funding, are the province’s efforts to improve and increase access to healthcare for British Columbians.