The Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec (FMSQ) recognizes that there are “good ideas” in Bill 15 from Health Minister Christian Dubé, but admits to having concerns and reservations, particularly about not to have been genuinely consulted.
“We are convinced that such an important bill should have been worked on and negotiated with the caregivers. We cannot carry out such a major reform and say that the consultation will [résumer] to a parliamentary committee,” said Federation President Dr.r Vincent Olive.
After having denounced last week “the attitude of confrontation of the MSSS”, the Federation declared Tuesday “to look with openness” at the bill and “to take the time to analyze it well”. “We will try to improve it”, indicated the Dr Oliva.
Tabled last Wednesday, the reform thoroughly reviews the governance of the health network to make it more efficient. Among other things, it will create a new state corporation, Santé Québec, merge the union seniority of employees across the province, put an end to regional boards of directors and appoint general managers in all large establishments.
Minister Dubé also wants to impose “compulsory specific medical activities” for medical specialists, as is already the case for general practitioners. These activities include, but are not limited to, participating in hospital call, offering hours of work in unfavorable shifts and being available in the emergency room.
“We are not against specific medical activities,” said Dr.r Olive. “If the ministry had told us: “we want to include that in the bill”, the next day we would have gone to Quebec, we would have sat down and we would have negotiated that. The problem is that we were not consulted. »
He also admitted that some doctors “could do more,” but “that’s the minority. “I don’t believe in that for specialties that do less of their part. […] Doctors work very hard. »
The president also noted several “good ideas” in the bill, such as “making more room for interdisciplinary decisions. However, he has concerns and reservations, particularly about the fact that he was not truly consulted. “We don’t find that acceptable,” he said. We evacuate doctors from decision-making, when it is fundamental that we are there. »