Doctors Agreements Ratified

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Nova Scotia’s doctors have ratified two four-year agreements with government.

The agreements include funding to improve access to care for Nova Scotians, bring new doctors to the province, and reduce wait times.

The agreements will make progress on these goals while advancing government’s plan to increase access to the number of collaborative care clinics across the province. These clinics will provide team-based health care so Nova Scotians get access to the health care they need, when they need it.

“This is good news for Nova Scotians, patients and families,” said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine. “Doctors play a vital role in our plans to develop a modern, innovative health-care system and we will continue to work and communicate with doctors to improve access to care for Nova Scotians.”

The agreements include:
— $10 million to improve access to collaborative care in communities
— $7.5 million to recruit and retain doctors
— $3 million for innovative non face-to-face care
— raises of 1 per cent in the third year and 1.5 per cent in the fourth year

“These agreements work for Nova Scotians and for doctors, while staying within the fiscal plan,” said Finance and Treasury Board Minister Randy Delorey. “I would encourage other groups to come to the table in that same spirit.”

The agreement-in-principle with the province’s doctors, who are represented by Doctors Nova Scotia, was reached in April. The agreements include the Physician Master Agreement and the Physician Alternative Funding Plan, impacting more than 2800 doctors.

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Source: Release