Provincial Government Outlines Response to Gynecologic Oncologists

Health and Community Services
September 19, 2008
Provincial Government Outlines Response to Gynecologic Oncologists

The Provincial Government�s response to items put forward for consideration by three gynecologic oncologists is both positive and comprehensive said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services, today.

"The requests presented by these three physicians have been taken very seriously by our government and I believe this is reflected in the substance of our response to the concerns raised," said Minister Wiseman. "Both Premier Williams and I have been very involved in this matter. We have been working closely with Eastern Health and the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial and essentially, all requests put forward have been addressed with the exception of compensation, which will ultimately be addressed. Our government very much values the tremendous service and quality of care that these individuals provide and throughout this process, we have worked diligently to resolve the issues put forward to us."

There are three main categories of concerns raised by the group of gynecologic oncologists: organizational issues, patient service delivery and compensation. Issues raised included the need for additional office space, increased secretarial support, more operating room time, an additional pharmacist and enhanced support for participation in clinical research.

"I met with these three physicians and the President of the NLMA this week and we reviewed where we are on the requests put forward," said Minister Wiseman. "Given that we have responded in such a thorough and positive manner to the bulk of the concerns presented, I am certainly hopeful that these physicians will decide to stay."

The response by the Provincial Government, in collaboration with Eastern Health and Memorial University�s Faculty of Medicine, is outlined below.

Requests Brought Forward by Gynecologic Oncologists	Response by Provincial Government
Organizational Requests
The physicians requested their services be included in the Cancer Care Program.	Approved pending application to the clinical chief of the Cancer Care Program, as per normal protocols. The three physicians will be cross-appointed to both the Cancer Care and Women�s Health Programs, with Cancer Care as the primary program.
Additional office space.	Approved.
A half-time clinical associate.	Approved.
Additional secretarial support (half-time position).	Approved.
An additional pharmacist to support the Cancer Care Program.	Approved.
Additional nursing training for intraperitoneal chemotherapy.	Approved.
A research assistant for clinical trials through the Faculty of Medicine.	Approved.
Patient Service Delivery Requests
The introduction of intraperitoneal chemotherapy as a new standard of care for ovarian cancer patients.	Approved pending the submission of clinical protocols by the physicians and approval of these protocols by Eastern Health as per normal processes.
Additional operating room (OR) time to introduce laparoscopic surgery.	Necessary equipment for laparoscopic surgery will be purchased. Eastern Health is engaging consultants to examine its utilization and allocation of OR times. In addition, renovations are anticipated within the next year to allow for increased OR time for physician groups.
Establishment of subspecialty gynecologic oncology pathology services.	Approved. Actively recruiting with option for external sourcing of services as necessary.
Nursing support for peripheral clinics in areas throughout the province.	Approved, part of Cancer Care Program mandate.
Compensation Requests
Seeking compensation levels on par with Ontario.	Compensation will ultimately be addressed.
An additional $15,000 per physician per year for continuing medical education (CME).	Will ultimately be addressed. Current CME policy for Eastern Health and Memorial University applies.

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Media contact:
Glenda Power
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-1741
glendapower@gov.nl.ca

2008 09 19 11:40 a.m.

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