The emergency room at the Southampton hospital is getting a boost in the form of another doctor.
Saugeen Shores council has approved a five-year agreement that will see Dr. Michael Pace work full-time in the emergency room, starting on October 1st.
Councillor Mike Myatt says it's a big boost for the emergency room, which has struggled to stay open in the past due to a lack of physician coverage.
He says the addition of Dr. Pace does not quite cover the staffing needs in the emergency room, and while they are getting closer to meeting those goals, Myatt admits the search for more ER doctors will continue.
The emergency room in Southampton is part of an ongoing $10-million expansion of the hospital, and it's something Myatt says is helping with the recruitment process.
"I think it plays a part, absolutely, if you talk to some of our family physicians in town about the expansion of the ER, there's a good feeling out there," says Myatt.
Myatt adds the arrival of Dr. Pace coincides with the arrival of Dr. Julie Gibb, who last year signed a 10-year agreement to open a large family practice in Port Elgin, which is slated to open in either October or November.