In recognition of the unique and urgent challenges facing pathologists and oncologists - specifically in recruitment and retention - the Williams Government will invest approximately an additional $6 million this year in new and enhanced measures to support pathologists and oncologists. The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined today by the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services, to provide details of the new package and other measures, including increased funding for continuing education, in-service training, additional support staff and new equipment.

"Today marks an important step in our government�s commitment to address the urgent challenges facing pathologists and oncologists in our province," said Premier Williams. "When we met with this group of health care professionals, they asked for a comprehensive solution to a complex set of issues that would include increased resources, recognition and remuneration. Today, that is exactly what our government is providing with this unique response to a challenging situation. Most significantly, our means to recruit and retain pathologists will now be bolstered by a compensation package that will rival what is offered anywhere else in the country."

Effective May 1, 2008, pathologists in Newfoundland and Labrador will now receive on average a total compensation package valued at $348,668 annually in St. John�s and an average of $364,364 outside of St. John�s. These figures contain a base salary of $247,950 and other components including a stipend of $60,000, a retention bonus, on-call compensation, and benefits. This annual total compensation package for pathologists will substantially enhance the province�s ability to attract health care professionals in what is an extremely competitive environment nation-wide. With the current number of pathologists practising in the province, the investment will involve an additional $3 million this year and an additional $5.7 million annually once the province has a full complement of pathologists.

"I am very pleased with what our government has been able to accomplish in short order to address the concerns raised by pathologists and oncologists," said Minister Wiseman. "The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association recommended that we implement a model similar to that of Ontario to address this unique situation. Not only did we meet this recommendation, we exceeded it. This new model we have created includes components found in the Ontario model but also provides additional benefits to pathologists by taking into account our increased need for recruitment and retention in rural areas and the variable rates of on-call commitment required of pathologists. We are offering what is arguably one of the best compensation packages offered in Canada. In the coming year, pathologists in Newfoundland and Labrador will see an additional pay increase of nearly $73,000."

Other measures being implemented to support pathologists include increased funding for continuing medical education, additional funding for in-service training and an increase of over $300 in the daily locum rate paid to visiting pathologists. An investment of $1.7 million will allow for increased technical and support staff, as well support for management information systems.

"We also heard specific needs presented for medical and radiation oncologists, which are also specialty areas facing significant recruitment challenges," said Minister Wiseman. "The measures we are announcing today take those challenges into account as well."

New recruits to the specialties of medical and radiation oncology will receive the same total compensation package as pathologists, which is valued at $346,668. In addition, current practitioners in these specialty areas will continue their current compensation arrangements but with a 35 per cent increase in their case payment rate. Two new general practitioner positions will be created within the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre to provide clinical support to the oncology program, along with additional administrative support. As well, an additional pharmacist position will be created for the oncology program. Minister Wiseman also acknowledged the request by oncologists for a specific cancer strategy for the province and indicated that such a strategy has been in progress. The regional health authorities, the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre, together with the Newfoundland and Labrador Cancer Society, and other stakeholders have been collaborating on a provincial cancer strategy and it is expected it will be presented to the Provincial Government in the months to come.

These initiatives are in addition to an investment of $746,000 for new laboratory equipment and will complement the continued work of the Provincial Government with the regional health authorities to make provincial laboratories eligible for national accreditation.

"I am very pleased that our government has taken such a comprehensive approach," said the minister. "We have made it very clear, and the NLMA expressly agreed in our recent meeting, that this is a unique set of circumstances that requires immediate and decisive action. We know that there will always be pressures within the health care system and our government has shown repeatedly our commitment to addressing those challenges. However, this is clearly an exceptional situation requiring a creative one-off solution."

"Our government has demonstrated time and time again that we are committed to investing strategically and strongly in our people�s health and well being," said Premier Williams. "We believe the steps we are taking today will substantially address the recruitment and retention issues faced by pathologists and oncologists in this province, while also recognizing their contribution to a state-of-the-art cancer care program for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Budget 2008 allocated a record $2.3 billion for health and community services, including $10.9 million for 12 new digital mammography units for health facilities throughout the province and $1.1 million for two new medications to be added to the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program through special authorization for the treatment of kidney cancer. This adds significantly to the province�s previous investments in cancer prevention and treatment, including an investment of $10 million over the past two years for two new radiation bunkers and treatment machines at the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre, the construction of new cancer centres in Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander, implementation of the cervical screening program province-wide and the expansion of the breast screening centre in St. John�s. In addition, in February the Provincial Government announced an investment of $2.3 million to enhance data management capabilities and quality assurance measures within the regional health authorities.

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2008 05 22                                                 4:50 p.m.