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Yvonne Jones, Opposition Health Critic and MHA for the District of
Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, says the recent contract signed with the
Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA) does not address
recruitment and retention issues concerning doctors and could further hinder
efforts to attract physicians to rural communities in the province.
The most recent contract signed with the NLMA provided doctors with a two
year wage freeze, followed by a six per cent wage increase in the final two
years of the contract. While the NLMA has publicly stated that an agreement
was reached, they have also stated that this agreement will do nothing to
encourage doctors to practice in rural areas of the province.
"Many communities in this province are currently experiencing a doctor
shortage," said Ms. Jones. "In my district, there are several communities
that are still struggling without the services of a physician. Other
communities on the northern peninsula, and throughout the entire province
are experiencing the same problem. During the current by-election in
Placentia-St. Mary’s, government is being pressured on this issue by the
people of St. Mary’s who also lack the services of a physician. While
government continuously states that something must be done to address this
issue, a four-year agreement that was recently signed with the NLMA does
nothing to address the shortages being faced.
"It is time government made this issue a priority. The failure or refusal
to address retention and recruitment issues is creating a crisis in the
provision of healthcare services throughout rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
If communities in my district, and those such as St. Mary’s have to move
forward without access to vital health care services, I fear many people
will be forced to relocate to larger centres. This is not in the best
interests of anyone in the province and could mean the end for some
communities that are struggling to survive."
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