The Knowlton Medical Clinic is getting another doctor after two years of waiting.

“Yes, finally we are getting a new doctor. It’s a doctor that has been practicing on the South Shore,” shared Richard Burcombe, mayor of Brome Lake.

Many citizens have been without a doctor during the two year period. The doctor shortage began following the death of Dr. Barakett, who had a large presence in the community, and the retirement of Dr. Barbeau.

With the loss of two doctors, many citizens fell onto the orphaned patient waiting list. The list is currently hundreds of patients long. Only patients registered with a practicing doctor at the clinic are permitted to use the walk-in and appointment services. All other citizens who are not registered with a doctor at the clinic must use the emergency room at the BMP Hospital in Cowansville. This can be inconvenient for the community because in an emergency situation, individuals must travel 30 minutes to access the nearest hospital, where there is a clinic in the middle of town.

“First of all, do not call the clinic concerning the access to the waiting list,” asked Burcombe.

Due to the limited number of staff at the clinic, citizens are asked to sign up to the Quebec family doctors waiting list online at Quebec family doctor finder. But if they are already on a waiting list, there is no need to register again.

“The system will take care of you,” assured Burcombe.

According to provincial data, the population of Brome Lake has the highest average age in the entire province of Quebec; one of the main reasons why the community was in desperate need of another doctor.

Here is Mayor Richard Burcombe: