Radiation Specialist Agreement Another Cancer Care Gain
The province of Nova Scotia is changing the way it pays radiation oncologists. The deal, announced today by Health Minister Jamie Muir, moves the radiation therapy specialists from fee-for- service to fixed payments.
The agreement will assist the province in its continued efforts to recruit and retain cancer specialists to the province, enhancing cancer care for Nova Scotians.
"Cancer specialists are in high demand across Canada and throughout North America," said Mr. Muir. "Moving from fee-for- service will help us attract and retain radiation oncologists, enabling us to provide high quality cancer care to patients. The agreement enhances the working environment for these doctors by allowing them to spend more time with patients and research and academic interests."
The Department of Health received an alternative funding proposal from Dr. Paul Joseph, the provincial head of radiation oncology, in the spring of 1999. The agreement, retroactive to November 1999, means the province can now offer these highly-specialized physicians a competitive compensation arrangement.
"This agreement reflects the commitment of government to provide us with the financial and human resources to run an effective radiation oncology program for the benefit of Nova Scotians," said Dr. Joseph, who is also head of radiation oncology at Dalhousie Medical School.
Other partners in the multi-party agreement include the QEII Health Sciences Centre, the Medical Society of Nova Scotia, the Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine, Cancer Care Nova Scotia and the Cape Breton Healthcare Complex.
There are nine radiation oncologists practicing in Nova Scotia, seven at the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre at the QEII Health Sciences Centre and two at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre in Sydney. The health department has approved the addition of three new radiation oncologists to the province's cancer care team. These positions will be phased in between April and October of this year.
A radiation oncologist is a cancer specialist who leads a radiation therapy team and determines the type and amount of radiation treatment a patient requires. Radiation therapy is an effective tool in cancer treatment.
Similar agreements have been reached with other health professionals in the province, including surgeons, anaesthetists and radiologists at the IWK Grace Health Centre and the Department of Internal Medicine at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.