Dr. Heather Austin, a family doctor in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, announced on March 2, 2026, that she has submitted her resignation, citing ongoing frustrations with the provincial health-care system. The physician plans to relocate to Nova Scotia in the summer of 2028 to continue her medical practice.
The departure is being called a significant loss for the community. Local medical professionals have frequently noted that the impact of losing one established doctor can be as significant as losing multiple new recruits, given the large patient rosters typically maintained by veteran physicians.
The resignation follows ongoing concerns regarding Health PEI, the provincial health authority. Staff across the province, including Dr. Austin, have identified heavy administrative workloads and the implementation of the Physician Services Agreement as major challenges for local doctors.
This move contributes to a growing physician shortage across Prince Edward Island that has recently forced several other medical offices to close. The medical community in Summerside continues to face high demand for primary care with limited staff available to help new patients.
