WHAT A WONDERFUL Christmas present it would be, if the campaign to attract more physicians to Central Dufferin succeeded in getting two or more doctors.

Shelburne Mayor Ed Crewson has confirmed that the Central Dufferin physician search committee and the Mel Lloyd medical team at Dufferin Oaks are negotiating with at least two doctors who have indicated an interest in coming.

But he noted wisely that to say anything beyond that would be premature at this point. "I don't want to build up false hopes for the people who are without a family doctor."

Earlier, he had observed that roughly half the 160 residents of The Oaks are without a doctor, and that he and his family have been without a physician since the retirement of Dr. George Vanderburgh.

Based on the original underserviced designation for the Shelburne area, there's a need for an additional eight family physicians, while the Orangeville area needs another seven — for a total of 15 within the underserviced program within the county as a whole.

But important as the need for more family physicians is, there is an even greater need for a full-time medical director at The Oaks, and the task of finding one is surely the responsibility of Dufferin County Council.

As we see it, County Council ought, at the earliest possible opportunity, to advertise the position widely and make the position so attractive in terms of salary, staff and setting that it will get a long list of applicants.

Anything less than that will mean more deaths and serious illness among residents of the county home.