Physicians in Nova Scotia are suing the provincial government.
Doctors Nova Scotia, the group that represents Nova Scotia’s 3,500 doctors says they’re trying to resolve a 14 months long contract dispute.
CEO Nancy MacCready-Williams says since serving notice to government October 3, they’ve seen no effort from the province to resolve the dispute.
Nancy MacCready-Williams
Photo Courtesy Doctors Nova Scotia
“We had hoped that we might be able to have conversations and perhaps settle these matters outside of formally filing documents with the courts this morning, and unfortunately, those conversations didn’t take place.”
MacCready-Williams says they’re concerned about government’s use of unapproved contracts for Alternative Payment Plan (APP) physicians and monies owed to Doctors Nova Scotia for the physicians’ health and dental plan and other benefits.
MacCready-Williams says twice over the past two years, the organization has had to dip into its contingency fund to maintain the programs.
“Government is not honouring the terms of the contract and physicians are being disadvantaged by that. And in this climate, when we want to attract new physicians and retain the ones we have, it’s not a very welcoming environment for physicians right now.”
MacCready-Williams says Doctors Nova Scotia just wants government to abide by the contract the two sides agreed upon.
