Three new family doctors open up full-time practice
By ALAN LICZYK Staff Reporter

In the last year and a half, three new family doctors have started a full-time practice in Caledon.

In a report to Caledon council recently, Norm Lingard, manager of economic development and communications, explained the new doctors include Dr. Leo Trigazis and Dr. Fariha Khan at the Goodfellow Professional Centre in Bolton and Dr. Amira Francis at the Caledon East Medical Clinic. These doctors have agreed to practise in Caledon for a minimum of five years, taking on 1,700 patients over that time.

This gives Caledon 25 family doctors, but still short of the 41 doctors it should have based on the physicianto population ratio of 1:1,380 as recommended by the Council of Faculties of Medicine.

Lingard added it's anticipated another family doctor will begin practising in Caledon this November and another two doctors will follow within the next year. A pediatrician is also expected to begin practising in Bolton this January.

Councillor Annette Groves thanked Lingard and his department for bringing in the new doctors. She said the pediatrician will be a much-needed addition.

"We should continue to knock on the province's door," Groves said.

She added urgent care clinics are needed since Caledon doesn't have any hospitals.

Lingard said four doctors have contacted the Town wanting a tour.

Councillor Richard Paterak noted many Caledon residents travel to Orangeville for their doctor including him. He believes there's definitely a shortage of doctors in Bolton.

Lingard said the physician recruitment is strongly based on partnerships, noting there's been great input from council and Headwaters Health Care Centre has introduced them to some of its doctors.

He explained doctors locate in Caledon for different reasons. Some have roots here, it's close to Toronto and it's part of the Greater Toronto Area, he said.

He also pointed out there are doctors in Caledon accepting new patients: three in Bolton and one in Caledon East. The doctors accepting new patients include Dr. Nihal El Khouly, 170 McEwan Drive East, Suite 219, Bolton, telephone 905-951-7525; Dr. Fariha Khan, 170 McEwan Drive East, Suite 201, Bolton,telephone 905-857- 2356; Dr. Sarah Rizk, 170 McEwan Drive East, Suite 210, telephone 905-951- 6293; Dr. Amira Francis, Caledon East Medical Clinic, telephone 905-584- 9377.