The Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists (FMSQ) is taking new steps to “unblock” talks with the government.
Delegates from the 36 associations affiliated with the FMSQ, and members of the federation’s board of directors, adopted an “action plan” Thursday evening during a special meeting.
In addition to ceasing training related to the Digital Health Record, specialist doctors will stop participating in medical-administrative activities starting today.
They will also cease, in the near future, to offer appointments through Service Request Distribution Centers (SRDCs).
CRDS are the access points to specialists who handle requests from family physicians and specialized nurse practitioners on the front line.
Consultations will instead be offered “through alternative mechanisms” to the CRDS, indicated the president of the FMSQ, Dr. Vincent Oliva, in a note sent to its members on Friday.
“Our patience is wearing thin,” he writes. “To improve access to specialist care, doctors must be given the proper resources to do their job. Specialist medicine must be valued.”
“Our demands to the government are reasonable and go beyond the sole issue of remuneration.
“They target essential elements, (such as) the organization of the health network, support for regions and the financing of specialized offices and clinics,” he adds.
On Wednesday, Premier François Legault stated that the pay increase demanded by the FMSQ was “really not reasonable”.
Its president at the Treasury Board, France-Élaine Duranceau, also stated that the issue of remuneration is “the main topic” in the negotiation with the specialists.
Quebec is offering specialist physicians an 11 per cent pay increase, while their federation is demanding a 14.5 per cent increase, which would include bonuses for achieving targets.
As a reminder, the government recently granted a 14.5 per cent increase to family doctors, in addition to a 2.5 per cent bonus if they meet care targets.
However, he intends to maintain a “gap” between the two professions to make family medicine more attractive, Duranceau pointed out.
“What specialist doctors are asking for as a salary increase is not reasonable, really not reasonable,” denounced Legault.
On Friday, the government declined to comment on the new means of exerting pressure.
“This is the FMSQ’s choice to use it,” the offices of Duranceau and Health Minister Sonia Bélanger stated in a written declaration.
“Our goal remains to improve Quebecers’ access to health care and discussions must take place at the table,” they added.
The framework agreement with specialist doctors expired on March 31, 2023.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
