Recent Nexus Newsletters
Winter 2009
Articles Four candidates in running
for CMA President-Elect; Successful conclusion to negotiations
priority for 2010; Candidate Profile - Dr. John Haggie; Candidate
Profile - Dr. Lydia Hatcher; Candidate Profile - Dr. Susan King;
Candidate Profile - Dr. Brendan Lewis; PACS program having positive
impact; Smoking –The Preventable Pandemic; Medical student
profoundly affected by volunteer experience at camp for children
with cancer; Dr. Paul Bonisteel receives Family Physician of the
Year award; iabetes testing, incontinence treatment and a letter for
patients; Self-monitoring of blood glucose can be reduced, CADTH
research shows; Digitization of NLMA newsletters complete; Health
system resting on faded laurels — it's time to earn new ones: CMA;
Kinesiology studio provides preventative and rehabilitative
services; New online accredited Proton Pump Inhibitor course
available; Breastfeeding Coalition launches new campaign
Recent President's Letters
H1N1 Pandemic - Bulletin #7
November 9, 2009
A number of you have contacted the
NLMA with questions about accessing additional personal protective
equipment as supplies are depleted in your offices. The Department
of Health, through the regional health authorities, has made some
personal protective equipment available to physicians’ offices for
the care of patients with potential H1N1 influenza illness.
H1N1 Pandemic - Bulletin #6
November 6, 2009
I would like to bring your attention issues that have come
up since yesterday’s bulletin.
H1N1 Pandemic - Bulletin #5
November 5, 2009
The Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS)
has now finalized its policies with respect to medical operations
during the current pandemic. These policies are being posted on our
website at government’s request (linked in the full text version of
this letter). Please read the
policy documents applicable to your circumstances carefully and take
the necessary steps to meet your specific needs.
H1N1 Pandemic - Bulletin #4
November 2, 2009
The government policy concerning physician
obligations and compensation has now been circulated to regional
health authorities. This information should be available to you
today by way of the RHA emails, websites and written directives.
There are specific guidelines pertaining to fee-for-service, APP and
salaried physicians.
H1N1 Pandemic - Bulletin #3
October 30, 2009
The NLMA has been urging
government and health authorities to streamline and accelerate the
immunization process, both for the public and front-line health
workers. Yesterday, Health Minister Kennedy did announce additional
clinics for the coming days, including St. John’s where only two
hours were originally scheduled for this weekend. The Minister also
announced a more robust plan for immunizing children in schools.
Eastern Health has indicated that they will be establishing a flu
assessment centre tomorrow along the same lines as the one launched
in Corner Brook last week.
H1N1 Pandemic - Bulletin #2
October 28, 2009
As I indicated in my letter earlier this week the
H1N1 outbreak will likely become a dominant issue for the
foreseeable future. During this period, it is my intention to keep
you informed of developments on a timely basis. Consequently, you
can expect to hear from me more frequently than usual. I will from
time to time ask for information from you and urge you to do your
utmost to respond, as the kind of information we are requesting is
important for us to be able to support all our members optimally.
H1N1 number one priority for NLMA
October 26, 2009 It
is our intention to be in touch with senior government and health
authority officials on a frequent basis until the pandemic is behind
us. The purpose will be to ensure that issues of mutual importance
are addressed promptly. The College of Physicians of Newfoundland
and Labrador (CPSNL) recently issued professional guidelines that
are to be applied in the event of a pandemic. Those of you who have
not yet had the opportunity to review the document should do so at
your earliest opportunity to ensure that you are up to date on your
duty of care professional obligations. I would also like to
provide you with a brief report on the NLMA President’s Tour and an
update on the status of our negotiations with government.
Negotiations update
September 9, 2009
Our fundamental mission throughout this
negotiation has been to ensure that our province is sufficiently
competitive to recruit and retain the medical workforce required to
provide our patients with reliable and quality care.
Recent Negotiations Bulletins
Meeting January 21 for St. John’s area
FFS family physicians
January 14, 2010
St. John’s and area fee-for-service family physicians are invited to
a meeting at 5:30 p.m. on January 21, 2010 at NLMA House to discuss
details of our proposals to government to address priority issues in
our next Memorandum of Agreement.