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Churchill Falls has been left without a doctor.

The community’s only physician, Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Chaudhry, recently went on a leave of absence until April 2011, putting residents in a difficult position.

According to Boyd Rowe, Labrador-Grenfell Health Authority CEO, the feeling among 80 residents that showed up to a public consultation (Aug. 16), was there needs to be a doctor in Churchill Falls.

Despite efforts, said Rowe, LG Health has failed to recruit a full-time doctor on a temporary basis for the community.

“It is difficult when we’re recruiting full-time permanent positions in the region, let alone temporary positions,” he noted.

The isolated location is definitely a factor, he commented, and the fact it’s a sole position, since doctors prefer to have a collegial connection.

With the help of Nalcor Energy, the town company, he said, a substantial compensation and benefits package is being offered.

The position has been advertised on medical websites and in journals, with no takers thus far, but, Rowe said, they’ll continue with recruiting efforts and will hopefully be successful.

LG Health has also tried to recruit a nurse practitioner with no luck.

For the time being, the Authority has hired a second nurse, said Rowe, and will have two visiting doctor from Labrador West provide clinical services every four to six weeks.

As for critically ill patients, he said, they’ll have to be stabilized by a nurse at the community clinic in consultation with emergency physicians from Labrador West and Happy Valley-Goose bay, and transported if needed.

He also said visiting doctors should provide a continuity of care for residents.

With a doctor away, Rowe’s not sure whether there will be an increased risk to residents, but, he said, at the consultation, several residents expressed road traffic in the company town might pose an increased health risk.

He also said residents expressed a general feeling they’d be more comfortable having a physician in the community, but they appreciate the care given by nurses.

“It’s going to be difficult,” he noted.  “We have been working hard in our recruitment efforts.  We are committed to having a physician working in Churchill Falls and we’ll continue to do whatever we can to attract someone.”