UCP cancels radiologist contract right after AHS given back pay
By GILLIAN SLADE on March 19, 2020.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade Alberta’s radiologists have been told the government will cancel the agreement it had with them within a year. Dr. Rob Davies, president of the Alberta Society of Radiologists, says three large groups of radiologists that supply services to most of the major hospitals in Calgary and Edmonton were given notice that a six-year contract they signed in November is being terminated in March 2021. All other radiologists in the province, including those in Medicine Hat providing services at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, had not yet completed their contract negotiations with Alberta Health. “Instead of completing those negotiations, Alberta Health is telling those groups as well that their current arrangements will end in a year and services at their hospital will also be subject to a request for proposals,” said Davies. Part of the agreement that had already been signed included a retroactive 12 per cent fee reduction back to April 1 of 2018. Radiologists had just finished cutting cheques to Alberta Health Services and then had the contract torn up, said Davies. “It sends a terrible message about making any kind of deal with this government. It’s literally not worth the paper it is written on.” There was no response to a request for comment from the Ministry of Health. Radiologists currently providing services to AHS would all have to respond to an RFP if they wanted a chance to continue providing services. “They’d be reapplying for their jobs under an RFP process now,” said Davies, who has concerns about service levels and safety for patients. Many of the current radiologists have trained in Alberta’s hospitals and have a thorough understanding of the system. “They are trusted by their colleagues,” said Davies, noting there is currently an exceptionally high level of service. The Ernst & Young accounting firm’s performance review of AHS, released earlier this year, listed opportunities to reduce costs. Radiologists fee reductions were identified as a way to reduce about $42 million by bringing “them in line with other Canadian provincial peers.” “The information provided in the E&Y report is wildly inaccurate and we have let Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health know that, pointed out the serious flaws in the information they provided,” said Davies. In a rush to cut costs, Alberta will be looking at major cuts to service levels and support, and this is going to negatively impact patient care, warns Davies. There is a lot to be said for already knowing the level of accuracy that can be depended on from a radiologist interpreting tests. “Radiologists who are already providing services in these hospitals have a track record of safety and quality,” said Davies. People coming from out of province, or outside the country, or people interpreting tests from a remote location, leaves the door open to a reduction in standards that Albertans currently rely on, he said. The timing is particularly difficult in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s catastrophic for morale,” said Davies. “All providers are trying to focus on … keeping their patients and staff safe and this is extremely unnecessary in terms of timing and the added stress. “ 18-17
