N.L. doctors recommend changes to avoid harmful health care cuts

While Newfoundland and Labrador doctors say reducing departmental spending would dramatically harm the quality of health care services in the province, the physicians' association has recommendations on how to save millions and improve patient care. 

Those recommendations include greater centralization of services in fewer facilities, reducing unnecessary medical testing and expanding the use of technology like telemedicine to give patients access to specialists without travel.

The provincial government is facing a $2.4 billion deficit. It has asked all departments, including Health and Community Services, to identify ways to reduce spending by 30 per cent. 

• NLMA to hold town halls with doctors to find ways of cutting costs

"It's not an appropriate goal. It's much too much actually, because if we had to reduce $900 million out of the health care budget that would actually take our level of spending far below the national average," said Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA) executive director Robert Thompson.

"That much money out of a $3 billion health care system is far to much to take out of the health care system."

Looking for ways to suggest cuts without harming care, the medical association commissioned Corporate Research Associates (CRA) to survey more than 800 people in the province. It also consulted with physicians.

The CRA poll found 47 per cent of patients rate the current health care system as being fair to poor. 

It found 74 per cent are in favour of centralizing services if it would improve care. On average, respondents said they are willing to travel more than 100 minutes for specialized care, such as surgery.

The NLMA is offering a long list of ways to save money. President Dr. Jonathan Greenland said one of the general themes that emerged is that the province has too many health care facilities.

"I'm sure [the health care system]  would look different — if we have the best plan available — it would look different than what it is now. I'd be fairly certain there'd be some changes in the number of facilities," he said.

Among the association's recommendations is a call to improve "end of life care."

Doctors are recommending a "strategy for improved palliative care and care of the frail elderly that avoids expensive hospital costs and unnecessary treatments," and also "adopts greater use of advanced health care directives."

The association said many of its recommendations would require some spending now to produce long-term savings.

The provincial government is scheduled to bring down its budget on April 14.