Doctors amend contract to include lower raises
Posted Mar 3, 2011 06:14:44 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Nova Scotia’s doctors have agreed to a new contract that’s expected to help save the province millions of dollars over the next couple of years.
Physicians voted 82 per cent in favor of amending their contract with the province under terms that grant them only a one per cent raise this year and next.
The doctors had initially secured an agreement for four per cent increases, and Doctors Nova Scotia President, Dr. Jane Brooks, tells News 95.7 not all members were thrilled with the decision to amend the contract.
“This was a difficult decision for physicians. We certainly appreciate that the province is in financial difficulty and we wanted to be part of that solution,” she said. “However, many of our members did express concern.”
Someone who is thrilled with the decision is Health Minister Maureen MacDonald. She says this will save the province about $45 million in fees over the next two years.
“This really shows true leadership and understanding of the serious financial situation that the province is in,” said MacDonald. “This really will make a significant difference in helping us get back to balance and manage the growth in health expenditures.”
The change to the contract comes two years before the existing agreement expires.
