After receiving requests from the government, doctors and the public, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia has developed a policy dealing with the withdrawal of services by physicians.
The new policy says doctors must ensure that adequate service is available for patients in the event of a walkout or similar labour action. “The spirit is that you can't walk out of the office or the hospital one day,” says Dr. Cameron Little, the college registrar. “There has to be some plan and notice must be given.”
The policy says that failure to provide alternative services or to give reasonable notice is “unacceptable and may constitute professional misconduct.” Although it is directed primarily at service withdrawal during a job action, Little says all complaints will be investigated. This would include complaints against doctors who leave the province suddenly without ensuring that their patients have received proper notice. He says the new policy was not created in reaction to the well-publicized walkouts by physicians in neighbouring New Brunswick and that similar rules exist in several other provinces, including Newfoundland, Ontario and British Columbia.
In a letter to members, College President Reginald Yabsley stated: “Our sole focus is public protection and maintenance of the profession's public reputation.” Little said the college will rely on the public to report instances of service withdrawal. Penalties for professional misconduct range from revocation of licence to a caution from the college.