P.E.I.'s only vascular surgeon, scheduled to quit surgical practice on the Island at the end of this month, says he would stay if the province recruits a second vascular surgeon.

Dr. Peter Midgely resigned last month, saying he felt like he was always on call, and the workload was just too much for him.

But Midgely met with the Health Minister Thursday. Doug Currie told him the province would look into creating a second position. Midgely left the meeting feeling optimistic.

Dr. Peter Midgely says he was encouraged by his meeting with Health Minister Doug Currie. (CBC)

"What I got from the meeting yesterday with Minister Currie was that there's going to be a serious look into the potential to recruit another physician here," he said.

Currie said he is not yet guaranteeing a second position. He needs to be convinced there's a demand for a second surgeon. He said if there is, the money will be there.

"I wouldn't be asking the question to Health PEI, or giving direction that I want a full breakdown or comprehensive analysis to find that information if I wasn't serious," he said.

Currie said he's meeting next week with the head of vascular surgery in Halifax to get some perspective and perhaps some ideas on how to keep vascular surgery going long term on P.E.I.

While Midgely's current plans are to wrap up his surgical practice on P.E.I. at the end of the month, he will continue to hold part-time office hours in Charlottetown.