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.

Conference calls scheduled to update groups on negotiation proposals
January 13, 2010 In recent weeks we have met with various specialty groups to bring them up to date on our engagement with government and to outline in broad terms proposals to address the priority areas for both fee-for-service and salaried physicians. To date, our meetings have been with St. John’s-based groups. We now want to extend our consultation to groups outside St. John’s via conference call.

Recent NLMA Bulletins

Recent Audit Bulletins

Avoiding common billing errors can protect you in the event of an audit
May 26, 2006 Over the next five to 10 years, most if not all of you will be subjected to an MCP audit. This is an experience which under the best of circumstances is not particularly pleasant. It can be especially unpleasant if the auditor discovers billing errors leading to exhaustive reviews and potentially large recoveries.
Plus NLMA working with government to answer questions on MCP registration

Recent GP Section Bulletins

LBC resource kit distributed to family physicians
February 21, 2007 As you are aware, in recent months the Department of Health and Community Services has been preparing to replace the existing conventional Pap cytology method with liquid based cytology (LBC). LBC will greatly improve cervical screening in the province.

Recent Salaried Physicians Communiqués

Department clarifies position on approving FFS work for salaried physicians
April 28, 2006 The NLMA has recently been advised that the Department of Health and Community Services has clarified its position with respect to approving fee-for-service work for salaried physicians while on leave.