25 new doctors hired so far this year: P.E.I. government

A doctor is seen in this file photo. (Pexels)

The Prince Edward Island government says 25 new doctors have been hired so far this year.

Of those, nine have already started practising, while 10 will begin in the second half of the year, and six more will begin in 2026.

Meanwhile, eight previously working physicians have retired or moved on for various reasons, meaning there’s a net gain of 17 doctors.

Last year, there were 41 doctors hired, for a cumulative total of 66 in 18 months.

“We continue to see steady momentum in our physician recruitment efforts over the past 18 months. Islanders deserve timely access to high-quality care, and we remain focused on recruiting physicians who bring passion, skill, and a commitment to serving our communities,” said Minister of Health and Wellness Mark McLane in a provincial news release.

Recruitment is carried out by Health PEI, the Department of Health and Wellness, physicians, and communities across the island.

The province says Health PEI is actively pursuing “top medical talent” across Canada and internationally.

“PEI offers one of the most competitive compensation packages in the country, including top-tier pay for family and specialty physicians, generous vacation and parental leave, full overhead coverage, and new incentives for physicians managing larger patient panels,” the release reads.

“Combined with the Island’s natural beauty, strong communities, and supportive medical environment, PEI is increasingly becoming a destination of choice for physicians and their families.”

With files from The Canadian Press.

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.