New contracts have been ratified by Doctors Nova Scotia but there is cause for concern.
Physicians accepted the four year deals that were put on the table about a month ago.
The contracts offer increases up to 1.5 per cent and focus on hiring new specialists and supporting patient care by phone.
But, President Dr. Michelle Dow says it’s not all positive.
She says physicians were disappointed about the lack of opportunities to advance patient care.
“Now that contract is rattified, we see the hard work is going to start now,” she says, “adressing all these chronic issues.”
It’s estimated that 50, 000 – 100, 000 Nova Scotians do not have access to a family doctor.
Dow says many physicians are worried about the future.
“Some of the older physicians are afraid of retiring, or are postponing retirement because they know their patients will be left without medical care.”
The agreements impact more than 2,800 physicians.
The contracts expire March 31, 2019.
