Government and doctors reach tentative agreement

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today that government has reached a tentative memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA) for an agreement with provincial physicians. "I am very pleased we were able to reach this stage with physicians and are closer to stabilizing that component of the health system," said the minister. "Compromise was needed on both sides of the negotiations but I commend the negotiating teams for their tenacity in developing this MOU, which allows us all to move forward".

The tentative deal includes a 4 1/2 year contract which will see government provide an increase in salaries for salaried and fee for service doctors throughout the province. The minister said this type of agreement will help regional health boards, physicians, and the Provincial Physician Recruitment Committee in their efforts to recruit and retain physicians throughout the province. Government will also increase its funding to help cover CMPA liability insurance dues for fee-for-service doctors.

In light of the tentative MOU, the minister has decided to lift the Needs Assessment Committee regulations which include the 50 per cent billing rule for doctors in the St. John's area. "I have said consistently throughout my tenure as minister that I would like to see these regulations lifted if we could find a way to provide a full range of physician services for the people of the province," said the minister. "I am hopeful that this MOU will be acceptable to physicians." The minister said the NAC regulations would be lifted immediately even though the agreement can not be ratified until NLMA members vote at the end of September.

A tripartite committee will be established with representatives from the government, the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Care Association, to discuss issues related to delivery of medical services including the effective utilization of physician services and will provide guidance to the Minister of Health and Community Services.

All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement