Yarmouth Regional Hospital (Source: CJLS)
Justice Robin C. Gogan recognized Doctors NS as the sole bargaining agent for physicians but raised concerns around the scope of their influence.
At issue are Alternative Payment Plans or APPs which allow doctors to work on a salaried or part-time basis.
CEO of Doctors Nova Scotia, Nancy MacCreadie-Williams says since APPs were introduced the relationship between doctors and the province has chilled.
“I can tell you, I travel end to end of this country and the fact that this is not a welcoming environment for physicians is well understood across this country.”
Doctors Nova Scotia insists they need to be involved in any negotiations between the province and physicians.
MacCreadie-Williams is concerned physicians are at a disadvantage when they negotiate their own contracts.
“To be really clear, this is not about money. This is about working collaboratively with physicians. For government to take the position they’ve taken on this, is tone-deaf to the health care crisis.”
MacCreadie-Williams says the appeal will be heard in November and she hopes to hear a decision early in the new year.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Randy Delorey says the individual APP contracts are necessary to accommodate the individual needs of a doctor or community.
And that Doctors Nova Scotia is involved.
“The province does negotiate with Doctors Nova Scotia. They negotiate the master agreement that governs compensation with physicians.”
Delorey says his department is working to improve doctor’s working conditions by increasing their in-office visit fees and adding more residency positions.
He says the individual APP contracts are still subject to that agreement but may be tailored to suit the needs of an individual doctor or community.
In response to MacCreadie-Williams claims Nova Scotia is not welcoming to doctors, Delorey points to government’s efforts to increase the number of residencies and the office visit fees paid to doctors.
“Nova Scotia may have challenges, but there are challenges throughout the country. We continue to be a welcoming jurisdiction because we do listen to the front-line physicians and I think many of the examples that I’ve used illustrate that we are listening and we’re making to changes to improve the circumstances here in our health care system.”
Delorey says he couldn’t comment further as the case is still before the court.
