The family doctor crisis in Estonia is worsening rapidly. In order to attract more young family doctors to work outside of Tallinn and Tartu, the state is tripling the five-year starting bonus, formally known as a beginner's allowance, it pays to young doctors from the current €15,000 to up to €45,000.
The Health Board has announced nine competitions for family doctors to take over practice lists. Of these, four are repeat competitions, meaning a previous competition failed to attract a family doctor to take them over.