Following a meeting of the PEI Medical Society today, a proposed new three-year master agreement is being sent to Island physicians for ratification. The proposed agreement has been strongly recommended by both government and physician negotiation teams.
Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem advised the comprehensive agreement includes new investments of $6.6 million to address several issues important to physicians and the delivery of quality medical care. "Our primary objective was to agree on a package that would strengthen our ability to keep the excellent physicians we now have in our province, recruit new ones, and ensure that Islanders continue to have good access to medical services," said the minister. "We are very confident that this agreement will do this."
The proposed agreement includes an overall increase of 16.5 percent over the next three years. The contract covers the period from April 2001 to March 2004.
Medical Society President Dr. Richard Wedge advised that negotiation of the new agreement is an essential component of physician resource planning for the future. "We believe that this agreement will greatly assist us in retaining and attracting physician services in this province," said Dr. Wedge.
Minister Ballem said some of the major issues addressed in the agreement include the establishment of competitive fee-for-service rates and specialist salaries, as well as strengthened emergency department and specialist on-call coverage. "We were very pleased to negotiate an agreement directly with physicians in a timely manner. The agreement includes incentives that support the recruitment and retention of qualified physicians and further participation by physicians in regional administration and planning. It also removes disincentives to practice in the province, such as the removal of the global cap on fee-for-service payments, which has been a long-standing issue with physicians."
In addition, the new agreement addresses work life opportunities such as continuing medical education, alternate payment options, and compensation for administrative responsibilities and participation in policy and planning.
Prince Edward Island spends approximately $39.9 million each year on physician services, approximately 12 percent of total provincial government health and social services expenditures.
There are approximately 175 physicians practising full or part time in Prince Edward Island, with an almost equal distribution among family physicians and specialists. Approximately 80 percent of Island physicians are paid fee-for-service, and 20 percent are paid salaries or sessional fees.