(Saint-Hyacinthe) Family doctors are taking the population hostage by planning a significant reduction in appointments offered to patients as of 1er June, accuses the Minister of Health Christian Dubé.
He condemned this “union maneuver” by the Federation of General Practitioners of Quebec (FMOQ) during the general council of the Coalition Avenir Québec on Saturday in Saint-Hyacinthe.
“I will never accept that we take the population hostage in the negotiations! “, thundered Mr. Dubé during a speech to CAQ activists. It is unacceptable that the union “instigates the cessation of appointments for patients at the Front Line Access Desk” (GAP).
At the heart of the conflict: the minister’s decision to no longer pay from 1er June the premium of $120 per year per patient registered with a family medicine group (GMF) through the GAP. This bonus is provided for in an agreement reached between Quebec and the FMOQ in 2022 on the creation of the GAP, an agreement which will expire on May 31. The minister wants to assess whether the bonus is effective. He doubts it and wants a new agreement to improve access to services. The FMOQ is furious with its decision.
The premium represents a bill of more than 100 million per year, since 910,000 patients are registered with a group of family doctors thanks to the GAP.
Christian Dubé deplored the fact that GMFs are sending letters to patients these days informing them that they will no longer be able to obtain an appointment via the GAP. CAQ deputies have also received letters from regional associations of doctors informing them that they are forced to reduce the number of appointment slots at the GAP or even to stop offering them.
“Difficult negotiation”
For the minister, it is a campaign orchestrated by the FMOQ, which encourages its members to offer fewer services to patients.
What I find deplorable is to say: “From 1er June, you no longer make appointments.” This is the slogan that was given to the various GMFs.
Christian Dubé, Minister of Health
According to data from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, there is in fact a significant drop in the number of appointments offered at GAP by doctors as of 1er June.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
The Minister of Health, Christian Dubé
Last week, there were 17,604 appointments offered at GAP. And there are 18,398 for the week of May 25. However, there are approximately three times fewer for the week of 1er June (5699). Appointments are even fewer for the weeks of June 8 (5488) and June 15 (2602).
“The negotiation is difficult” with the FMOQ to agree on a new agreement, recognized Christian Dubé. “We do not agree on how to renew the GAP.” He accused the FMOQ of spreading “disinformation” on the subject by suggesting that the government was tearing up the agreement.
A conciliator was appointed to try to resolve the impasse between Quebec and the FMOQ.
“It’s not easy, and I have concerns for the coming weeks,” said Prime Minister François Legault in a press scrum.
In his closing speech to the general council, he warned that “things will get heated” with the doctors. “Over the next few months, we will have to be strong. We’re going to have to stand up. We will all have to be united behind Christian Dubé,” he told his activists. “Doctors’ unions are opposed to change, but we must not give up like other governments. »