Press release

Quebec Physicians Are Anxious To Bring Solutions To The Problems In The Health Care System

Montreal, Thursday, August 1, 2002  –  Quebec physicians today reiterated their willingness to continue cooperating in the implementation of appropriate solutions to the problems faced in our health care system. This has always been their attitude, and they will continue to act accordingly.

“Long-term solutions to the problems in our health care system will be developed through a process of discussion, consultation and cooperation” said Dr. Renald Dutil, President of the Quebec Federation of General Practitioners, Dr. Yves Dugré, President of the Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists and Dr. Stéphane P. Ahern, President of the Quebec Federation of Medical Residents.

The special law adopted by the National Assembly last July 25 will be contested by the medical federations in court. It was hastily prepared and voted on, despite the fact that physicians were not in an adversarial position and were themselves proposing solutions. It is unfortunate that the government has developed a reflex to pass special laws rather than discuss, in a responsible and serious way with the various stakeholders involved, the problems in our health care system. Over the last three years special laws have been adopted to deal with nurses, pharmacists and doctors. Health Minister Legault has also invoked the spectre of a special law as a threat in his dealings with dentists. This kind of approach must be denounced. 

The physicians will act in accordance with the law, as they always have, but their federations will use all means at their disposal to convince the government to withdraw it and cooperate rather than act unilaterally. The three federations, representing all general practitioners, specialists and residents, will continue to work together, particularly in the face of Minister Legault’s stated intention to make unilateral changes to physicians’ professional status in the fall. The main outcome of this initiative would be to compromise, across the entire health care system, in emergency services as well as elsewhere, accessibility to the kind of quality medical services that Quebecers have the right to expect.

Over the last few years, thousands of health workers have managed to maintain a fragile health care system. This was through great effort and in spite of difficult working conditions and budgetary restrictions imposed by the government. When the government acts in this manner it only further tests the motivation of health professionals and workers. This kind of attitude must be denounced while encouraging the government to favour dialogue instead. Physicians, for their part, have always been open to discussion.

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