The Guardian :
Nearly 800 doctors and medical residents in the Canadian province of Quebec have signed a letter protesting against plans to raise their pay, arguing that the funds would be better spent on other areas of the province’s beleaguered healthcare system. Ground Gupta family’s jet, Canada asks South African court
“We, Quebec doctors, are asking that the salary increases granted to physicians be cancelled and that the resources of the system be better distributed for the good of healthcare workers,” reads the open letter.
It was drafted late last month by Médecins québécois pour le régime public, a group of doctors and medical students who support public healthcare.
The letter says recent pay raises negotiated by their professional associations as “shocking”, given the “draconian cuts” that have left nurses, orderlies and others overworked and underpaid, as well as led to a widespread lack of services for patients. “The only thing that seems to be immune to the cuts is our salary,” notes the letter. So far, it has attracted 789 signatures of support, from GPs, specialists, residents and medical students. It has attracted attention
Nearly 800 doctors and medical residents in the Canadian province of Quebec have signed a letter protesting against plans to raise their pay, arguing that the funds would be better spent on other areas of the province’s beleaguered healthcare system. Ground Gupta family’s jet, Canada asks South African court
“We, Quebec doctors, are asking that the salary increases granted to physicians be cancelled and that the resources of the system be better distributed for the good of healthcare workers,” reads the open letter.
It was drafted late last month by Médecins québécois pour le régime public, a group of doctors and medical students who support public healthcare.
The letter says recent pay raises negotiated by their professional associations as “shocking”, given the “draconian cuts” that have left nurses, orderlies and others overworked and underpaid, as well as led to a widespread lack of services for patients. “The only thing that seems to be immune to the cuts is our salary,” notes the letter. So far, it has attracted 789 signatures of support, from GPs, specialists, residents and medical students. It has attracted attention
around the world. “It’s a tough stand to take,” said Isabelle Leblanc, the president of the group behind the letter. “Some people find it difficult to understand why we would do something like this, but at this point for us, it’s what makes sense.” The Quebec government recently announced increases of 1.4% and around 1.8% for specialists and general practitioners respectively, while recent data suggests that the average specialist in Quebec makes C$403,500 annually, while family physicians make C$255,000. These figures do not take into account the overhead costs incurred by physicians.
