A group of doctors in rural Cape Breton are taking the provincial physician shortage into their own hands.
Staff members at Buchanan Memorial Hospital in Neil's Harbour, N.S., have started a campaign selling the beauty of the Cabot Trail on social media.
Dr. Nicola Smith posted an ad on Facebook offering a summer job with free accommodations, as well as a chance to borrow her kayaks.
“I think previously, young people were going to the city looking for job opportunities. Fortunately, as a physician, you're able to work just about anywhere,” Dr. Smith says. “I think we're looking a bit more to live out in the country, grow our own vegetables, be a bit more outdoorsy, and I think it's a great opportunity for that."
Dr. Ken Murray says he fell in love with the Cabot Trail enough to practice his entire life in Neil's Harbour. At 71, he’s looking to retire soon and hopes selling the great outdoors will eventually help fill his position for good.
"People have discovered it as a place to visit. Maybe now some young physicians would like to come and establish themselves in this type of community, or maybe to come and try it out for a couple of years like I did, and make a decision beyond that," Dr. Murray says.
The online ad is similar to one posted by The Farmer's Daughter a couple of years ago, offering free land to come live and work in a rural community. The ad brought in thousands of applications from across the continent.
While Dr. Smith doesn’t have any acres to give away, but says they’ve already received some interest.
"Lots of shares, lots of likes, and we've had two physicians actually contact us and they both look like great options," she says.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald.
