Layton vows to hire and train more family doctors

The Globe and Mail:

Jack Layton is appealing to the many Canadians who have been unable to find a family doctor.

“Across the country, five million Canadians can't find a family doctor. Some drive hours away from home to see theirs,” said Mr. Layton.

The NDP says it would work with the provinces and territories to hire 1,200 doctors and to train thousands of nurses over the next 10 years.

Mr. Layton says he would establish a fund to lure 300 Canadian doctors currently working abroad to come home.

He would also streamline the process of credential recognition for foreign-trained doctors, a promise made by other governments in the past with limited success.

In addition, the NDP would invest $80-million to upgrade medical schools, support doctors in remote areas, and forgive student loans for medical professionals who practice family medicine for at least 10 years.

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