PROVINCE & PHYSICIANS REACH A TENTATIVE CONTRACT AGREEMENT

The province and the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) have reached a tentative contract agreement that will strengthen physician retention and recruitment efforts and enhance quality of care and patients' access to health services in Saskatchewan.

The three-year tentative agreement includes increases of 2.8 per cent each year in the fees paid for physician services, as well as $11.8 million dollars to support a number of innovative incentive programs focussing on recruitment, retention and improved patient care. These include:

-increases to existing on call programs;

-$2 million to improve patient access to specialists;

-$2 million in funding to introduce on call payments for some urban family physicians and to support improved compensation for family physicians who provide assistance during surgery;

-$4 million to enhance management of chronic diseases (eg. diabetes, heart disease) and

-$3.8 million to improving ongoing retention programs.

The government and the SMA have also agreed to work toward implementing an innovative proposal to promote the use of electronic medical records in physician practices. Extensive use of the electronic health record has been shown to improve patient care, reduce duplication and reduce errors in care delivery.

"I am very pleased that we have reached a tentative deal with the SMA that meets our objectives of improving patients' access to health services by helping to recruit and retain physicians," Health Minister Len Taylor said. "Our government recognizes the important contribution that doctors make in delivering quality patient care. We recognize the importance of providing fair and competitive compensation to recruit and retain doctors in a competitive environment."

Recruitment and retention of health care providers is a key goal of the province's Health Workforce Action Plan.

"Saskatchewan physicians had four key goals to accomplish in this round of bargaining: maintaining a competitive fee schedule; enhancing our ability to recruit and retain physicians; improved access to quality care for our patients; and stability and security in the health care environment," SMA President Dr. Vino Padayachee said. "This agreement helps us meet those goals."

The SMA Board of Directors has recommended acceptance of the agreement by its members. The ratification vote by the province's 1,800 practising physicians is expected to be completed by September 1st.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Joan Petrie Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083

Marcus Davies Saskatchewan Medical Association Saskatoon Phone: (306) 244-2196