Williams says NLMA hindering gyne-oncologist talks

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams is accusing the province's medical association of standing in the way of resolving problems with three gynecologic oncologists who have tendered their resignations.

Williams said Thursday that the province and the doctors have agreed to 90 per cent of the doctors' demands, but they haven't reached an agreement on salary, and he's blaming the executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, Rob Ritter.

"I just can't read the mind of Rob Ritter, he hasn't done anything to help negotiations on behalf of the people he represents in this province. We've had a couple of bad experiences with this guy now," Williams said.

Ritter was unavailable for comment Thursday afternoon.

Patti Power, one of the three gynecologic oncologists, said the government has met some of their demands, but not all of them. But she blames Health Minister Ross Wiseman for the slow progress.  

"There are obstacles, and for whatever reason the minister of health … is having difficulty putting the things on the table that are necessarily going to make us happy on all fronts," she said.

The three St. John's-based specialists, Power, Lesa Dawson, and Cathy Popadiuk, originally said they would resign in October, but have now pushed that deadline back to December. The physicians want increases in support staff and access to more operating-room time, as well as better remuneration.

Earlier Wednesday, Dr. Elizabeth Callahan, the president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association said the cancer specialists had stopped accepting new patients as of Sept. 16.

But Popadiuk said late Wednesday the doctors will see new patients because no alternative arrangements have been made for women who become diagnosed with cervical, ovarian or uterine cancers.