People in Inverness County are worried a doctor shortage may become worse.

Recently, Dr. Bernie MacLean retired, while two other doctors are nearing retirement.

"They are excellent physicians and they are very closely tied to the community," said Ann Peters, a member of the Inverness County Hospital Advisory Committee. "They've lived here for years, they know a lot of people, and treat people with respect, which means a lot for the patients."

"The feeling here is that it's very critical," said Donalda MacDonald, who was one of Dr. MacLean's patients. MacDonald has been speaking to other people with similar concerns. "One of the women there said she didn't have a family doctor and neither do her two brothers, and they'd be up in their 70s."

'The feeling here is that it's very critical'—Donalda MacDonald

MacDonald said seniors are relying on outpatients to get their prescriptions refilled, and young people are worried about their children's health care.

The Hospital Advisory Committee is now launching a survey to find out exactly how many people won't have a doctor when they retire. Peters said the number could be around 1,100.

Peters said people in the area feel their health care services are disappearing.

"There is that worry now because we've lost some O.R. time, we've lost the ability for children to be born in Inverness at the hospital, and that the services are being whittled away," she said. "It's just to hopefully hang on to what we have and build on that."

The survey will be available throughout the county at various gathering places. The Committee plans to pick up the results by June 20.

Peters said once they have that information, it will be easier to look for a solution.

They hope to present the results to the Cape Breton District Health Authority by the end of June.