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The number of vacancies for physicians in B.C. is believed to have reached a historical high, with nearly 700 positions listed by Health Match B.C., the provincial agency that recruits health professionals from around the world.

And if last year’s recruitment is any indication, only about a third of the doctors will be found. Last year, it filled 234 vacancies — 192 on a permanent basis and 42 locum (temporary) positions. Of the 667 postings listed now (the number fluctuates on a daily basis), 447 are in family medicine.

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Data provided by the Ministry of Health shows constantly escalating vacancies for the past four years, particularly for general practitioners.

This comes as no surprise to West End resident Susan Stewart, who has been using walk-in clinics for the past six years since her doctor retired.

“Every time I ask for a referral, I’m referred to the websites,” said Stewart, 41, who is forced to wait in line to see a doctor each time at her local Care Point Medical Centre on Davie. “And after doing some research on the doctors I find there, I call the offices to ask about availability and I’m told that some of the doctors on the list aren’t taking patients.”