Northumberland County has welcomed its first physician through a new coordinated recruitment effort aimed at improving access to primary care across the region.
Dr. Roshion Sabeeha Ishaque began practicing at the Cobourg Clinic, part of the Northumberland Family Health Team, on March 25. Her arrival marks the first successful recruitment under the County’s Primary Care Recruitment Initiative, launched in fall 2025.
County officials say the need is significant, with more than 8,000 residents currently without a family doctor, a number expected to grow as more physicians retire. Dr. Ishaque’s practice will help address that gap, with new patients being accepted through the provincial Health Care Connect system. Individuals on that list will be contacted directly as roster space becomes available.
The initiative is designed to coordinate recruitment efforts across all seven municipalities in Northumberland. It includes partnerships with local health organizations, outreach to medical students, and participation in events such as Rural Medicine Week, where prospective physicians visit and learn about practicing in smaller communities.
County staff say momentum is building, with more than 20 physicians currently exploring opportunities in Northumberland, including both new graduates and experienced practitioners considering relocation.
The recruitment effort is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the local health care system and improve long term access to primary care.
Residents who do not currently have a family doctor are encouraged to register with Health Care Connect, a provincial program that helps match patients with available providers as new practices are established.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
