B.C. anesthesiologists set to withdraw services
Elective surgeries could be canceled after B.C. anesthesiologists threatened to withdraw services next April to protest alleged issues around patient care.
The B.C. Anesthesiologists’ Society claims there is a shortage of physicians and is unhappy with the lack of a fee agreement with the province.
The announcement comes only hours after the B.C. government committed $2.5 million to help support round-the-clock obstetrical anesthesia services.
The health ministry states the extra funding for the Victoria General, Royal Columbian and Surrey Memorial hospitals comes entirely from unspent tax dollars in the current Physician Master Agreement with the B.C. Medical Association.
The additional funding will ensure there is at least one anesthesiologist always on site to handle high-risk deliveries at the three hospitals, matching the dedicated obstetrical anesthesiology services available at B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Centre.
It also gives health authorities the option of working directly with their existing specialists or hiring additional anesthesiologists, if necessary.
Victoria General Hospital hit the headlines earlier this year, when anesthesiologists stated a staff shortage may have contributed to the death of a newborn delivered by caesarean section there.
At the time, the provincial government and health authority refuted the claims, saying anesthesiologists rejected an offer to provide a Dedicated Obstetrical Anaesthesia (DOBA) service at Victoria General Hospital because the province was not offering enough money.
An external review later found there were no delays in providing anesthesia to the mom in question.
Earlier this month, B.C. anesthesiologists offered $3 million of their own funding to help recruit extra staff to help high-risk pregnant moms and their babies.
source : www.cbc.ca
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Submited at Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 at 9:00 am on Health by samantha
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