Press release

The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) concurs with the measures suggested by the Collège des médecins du Québec

Montréal, June 1, 2009 – “The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) has confirmed the need to take the measures we advocated regarding this matter, as quickly as possible”. That was the first comment from Dr. Gaétan Barrette, President of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec, following the CMQ press conference.

“For years now, and from day one of this matter, we have been asking the Ministère de la Santé to introduce three measures: a routine, compulsory external quality control system; an action plan to ensure the appropriate follow-up of patients who may be the subject of incorrect tests, and the upgrading of equipment in medical pathology laboratories”.

The FMSQ President noted that his professional union’s mandate is to defend and promote the economic, professional, social and scientific interests of its members. That means acting to ensure that medical specialists work under the best conditions possible, so that they can perform their work in a proper manner. “The Ministère de la Santé’s inertia has created a situation that has been deteriorating for many years. Accusing us of corporatism is the Minister’s latest tactic in an attempt to gain time,” Dr. Barrette stated.

“What we want to do for our Québec patients and pathologists alike is to repair errors that have occurred wherever possible and avoid any others,” Dr. Barrette ended.

The mission of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec is to defend and promote the economic, professional, scientific and social interests of the medical specialists who are members of its affiliated associations. The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec numbers more than 8,000 members in Québec, representing 35 medical specialties. It is the sole organization recognized by government with respect to negotiating medical specialists' collective agreements, and is also consulted on all aspects of the organization of medical care in Québec.