Hospitalist program expanded, new doctor to be hired

In an effort to help the 6,000 Saultites who don't have a family physician, Sault Area Hospital is hiring new medical staff to expand its hospitalist program.

Those 6,000 patients get their primary medical care through SAH's emergency room, often inappropriately, President and Chief Executive Officer Manu Malkani advised a meeting of the hospital's board last night.

A hospitalist is a physician who primarily cares for hospital inpatients.

About 33 Ontario hospitals currently have hospitalist programs.

The current program at SAH has been staffed by a rotation of physicians, but the hospital's board of directors voted last night to allocate $420,000 to expand the program.

The money will allow hiring of one physician and one nurse practitioner.

Funding will be sought through the Ontario Ministry of Health.