Dear Specialist Colleagues:
The tentative 2022 Physician Master Agreement (PMA) was announced on October 31. Voting to determine whether this PMA will be ratified opens November 14 and closes December 5. This communication provides the Consultant Specialists of BC perspective to help inform your voting decisions. We encourage all Specialists to vote and ensure their voices are heard.
This settlement offers balanced funding between Family Practice and Specialists, increases for physician services that are greater than what has been achieved in other provinces, and cost-of-living provisions. The gender pay gap within Family Practice and Specialty sections has also been acknowledged.
Consultant Specialists of BC has vigorously advocated on behalf of Specialists to ensure that Specialist concerns were heard and addressed:
Benefits to Specialists in this PMA:
Shortfalls of PMA for Specialists:
There are important steps forward for Specialists in this PMA, even though some of the gains aren’t as significant as what cSBC called for.
As a result of our recent advocacy, we are now in talks with the Deputy Minister of Health to address the remaining shortfalls for Specialists and our patients outside the PMA. We will also continue our work protecting Telehealth (in combination with in-person care) and updating the re-referral system to recognize and support Longitudinal Specialist Care.
We leave it to you to vote according to your interpretation of the PMA. You will receive voting instructions from Doctors of BC in the coming days. Make sure your voice is heard and cast your vote.
Kind regards,
Dr Chris Hoag