The department of health says discussions are underway in response to the NLMA’s request for a health human resources plan to address the province’s doctor shortage.
The Medical Association says expansion of Teladoc services in Newfoundland and Labrador is a symptom of the province’s ongoing doctor shortage.
NLMA President Dr. David Metcalfe (NLMA)
Association President Dr. David Metcalfe says virtual care was never intended to replace a patient’s access to a family physician or be a permanent substitute for emergency care and he’s calling for an update on a requested health human resource plan for physicians in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Listen to “Dr. David Metcalfe” on Spreaker.
Metcalfe says the province can’t know how many doctors it needs if it doesn’t know how many doctors it has.
The department says Health Minister Joedy Wall has met with Metcalfe and the NLMA executive to discuss a human resources road map – an association request dating back to 2018.
In the meantime, government says efforts to recruit ER physicians and family doctors continue.
