NSCFP supports province’s doctors

To the editor:

The Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians with over 1,100 members is a provincial chapter of the College of Family Physicians of Canada which has over 36,000 members. Our mandate neither entails negotiating fees and contracts on behalf of our members nor are we the regulatory licensing body. However, as the voice of family medicine, we advocate on behalf of our family physician members so they are able to focus on what they do best: deliver the best possible care to their patients.

The DoctorsNS (DNS) Board of Directors has served Notices of Intended Action to resolve two long-standing contractual issues: government’s use of unapproved contracts for Alternative Payment Plan (APP) physicians, and monies owed to DNS for the physicians’ health and dental plan and other benefits.

We strongly support our DNS colleagues as they pursue this course of action.

In addition to an aging physician workforce, a recent survey conducted of NS physicians revealed a high level of burnout from overwork. Add this to the problem of over 100,000 Nova Scotians without a family physician and our concerns are made clear.

At a time when Nova Scotia struggles to retain and recruit physicians it is important to foster a positive environment, and this includes working together to focus on system issues.

We can take the first steps towards resolution by ensuring physicians are treated with respect and fairness, and that we build the foundation for a trusting relationship.

Dr. Peter Brennan, NSCFP President Cathie W. Carroll, NSCFP Executive Director