Manitoba fills record number of medical residency seats
We hear repeatedly that Manitoba doesn’t have enough doctors. But today at the University of Manitoba’s medical school, the government celebrated some good news on that front. Every physician training seat in the province has been filled. This year, all 173 residency positions were matched to a medical school graduate. That’s an increase from last year, when Manitoba only had 156 training seats available. Here’s Doctor Peter Nickerson, Dean of the Universities Medical program. I think the real important point to take home today is despite the fact that we expand it, right, we were able to actually fill all of our spots. That is huge when you think about it’s great to increase your spots, but if you can’t fill them, then what have you really achieved? I think the achievement is that we expanded and filled. He’s hoping Manitoba will have the government funding to create even more seats next year. Nickerson says the demand hasn’t been met yet. Ian Frays, CBC News, Winnipeg.