Thousands of orphaned patients expected as two Sackville doctors close up shop this summer
Thousands of patients in Sackville have been getting bad news from two longstanding primary care doctors in the area. Dr. Catherine Johnston and Dr. Andrea Wall are both closing their practices this summer.
After 23 years treating patients in Sackville, Dr. Johnston is retiring at the end of June. Dr. Wall has been practicing in Sackville for 18 years, and is closing her practice on August 4 as she moves on to another position in Moncton. Neither doctor has been able to find a replacement, which means all their patients will become ‘orphaned’ in the system.
There are rumours of other possible closures of practices, but so far they are proving unfounded. CHMA reached out to Dr. Beatrice Milne and Dr. Graeme Stewart, neither of whom have existing plans to retire, despite rumours to the contrary. Both Dr. Milne and Dr. Stewart will continue to see their patients in Sackville.
Another rumoured closure is not what it seems: Dr. Allison Dysart is hoping to move his practice closer to his home in the Cocagne-Grand Digue area. If possible, Dr. Dysart plans to keep his current patient roster. The longtime Sackville physician has been commuting to Sackville from Cocagne since last fall.
Meanwhile, Drs. Wall and Johnston are advising their patients to register with Patient Connect NB as soon as possible to get on the ‘first come, first served’ list that promises to match people with primary care providers as they become available.… Continue