Late in 2012, in response to a specific need in the Lake Cowichan community, the Physician Recruitment & Retention Committee was formed.  CVDFP worked closely with Island Health and the Choose Lake Cowichan committee for more than a year to address the GP shortage in that community.  

With that gap successfully filled, recruitment efforts have shifted focus to a more regional approach--providing support to those GPs planning to leave practice in the near future, and in participating in Island-wide collaborative efforts.  CVDFP has initiated discussions with Economic Development Cowichan to look at collaborative opportunities for engaging potential new GPs and for promoting the Cowichan region.  CVDFP is also taking steps to connect and engage with Residents training in the region. 

With several new GPs recently joining the community, the recruitment program is expected to be one of the most successful patient attachment mechanisms.