Elective surgeries in jeopardy in BC
Posted March 13, 2012 12:52 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – In just over two weeks, anesthesiologists in the province could stop doing elective surgeries. The BC Anesthesiologists’ Society (BCAS) wants to be part of the bargaining process between the BCMA and the provincial government.
Back in December, the society threatened action over pay, staffing, funding and workload. The next day, Health Minister Mike de Jong promised to include the BCAS in the negotiations of these and other concerns.
But Dr. Jeff Raines says that hasn’t happened. “The BCMA and the Ministry officials stand in the way of us occupying our seat at that table,” says Dr. Rains. “They stand in the way of addressing the issues that we wish to bring forward. They stand in the way of better patient care in BC.”
Three months later, Rains thinks they are no closer to the table, despite calls from the BCAS to the province and the BC Medical Association. “And that’s the body that’s supposed to represent us. How do you get representation from a body that doesn’t answer your questions. [It’s a] very simple question: ‘Do we have a seat or not?'”
He stresses anesthesiologists do not want to withdraw services but feel they should have a say to the third-party making binding decisions as the process enters conciliation.
If no concessions are made, they will pull out of elective, non-urgent surgeries across the province.
