The Ontario Medical Association says it could be the new year before physicians have a new deal with the provincial government.
OMA President Dr. Nadia Alam says the matter is now in the hands of an arbitrator.
She says the big picture items, including the physician services budget and how the government will fund the services that patients need, will likely come down in early 2019.
However, Dr. Alam says the other “nitty gritty” details on the contract itself won’t be seen until the fall of next year.
She admits everyone is on “auto pilot” right now, noting the arbitrator decision is binding, stressing the government and doctors won’t be able to walk away.
Dr. Alam says they have been without a contract for over five years.
She says this is causing a lot of stress.
A recent survey found that 1 in 3 physicians are burned out.
Dr. Alam says there’s no stability right now, with an inability to plan for the future.
She has been meeting with physicians in Dryden and Kenora this week.
