The first phase of the arbitration hearing for Year 1 of the 2024-28 Physician Services Agreement was held this week. The OMA and Ministry of Health met in front of the Board of Arbitration and presented their submitted briefs.
Our submission proposes a 10.2 per cent increase for inflationary catch-up, five per cent as a general base increase, and 7.7 per cent for targeted investments. On Monday, the first day of the hearing, the NTF’s legal and negotiations co-counsel presented to the board, providing context, data and rationale for our proposal.
There will be another round of arbitration on June 5 and 6, where each side will provide reply submissions based on what was presented this week. This is an opportunity for the OMA and the ministry to offer rebuttals on any points made by the other side. Once the hearing is over, the arbitration board will spend time deciding the outcome, with a decision expected tentatively towards the end of summer.
The recently proposed changes to the capital gains tax disproportionately target physicians and will have a major impact on practices across Ontario. As doctors already face significant financial challenges, we have sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland outlining how these changes will exacerbate the crisis in Ontario’s health-care system. We encourage you to send this letter to the prime minister and deputy prime minister
so they know how this tax increase will impact health care in their community. Urge them to cancel this tax increase on doctors and prioritize health care.
Doctors' Day is our way of saying thank you. We honoured you this year at our annual Doctors' Day, celebrated across Ontario with blue-lit landmarks, flag raisings and social media tributes. Your dedication in treating more than 340,000 patients every day in a struggling health-care system was acknowledged by our leaders, your patients and politicians. Relive the day with our digital photo essay.
Follow up regarding Grey Bruce EDs. We are concerned about the future of two emergency departments in southwest Ontario being transitioned to urgent care centres. While the ministry and the South Bruce Grey Health Centre have not made any final decisions on their future, the Durham and Chelsey EDs have been operating with limited capacity due to staffing issues. We have reached out to the ministry to understand their plans and any impacts on health services in the region. We met with Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers last week and we’re working to arrange meetings with other local MPPs to discuss this issue. We will keep you updated as we get new information.
We want to thank everyone who attended our 2024 Annual General Meeting, whether in-person in Sudbury, at satellite viewing sessions in Toronto and Hamilton or virtually across the province.
Don’t miss remarks from your newly installed OMA President Dr. Dominik Nowak, Immediate Past President Dr. Andrew Park and President-Elect Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, as well as our re-elected Board Chair Dr. Cathy Faulds and OMA CEO Kimberly Moran in her inaugural AGM address.
Visit the 2024 AGM web page to read our Report to the AGM and Governance Report for an overview of our accomplishments this year, as well as other highlights from the May 2 meeting – including answers to questions you submitted, which will be posted soon.
Secure your spot at the CMA's annual general meeting. Registration is open for the Canadian Medical Association’s Annual General Meeting, being held virtually on May 29 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You must be a current member of the CMA to attend or renew your membership by May 23 to join.
This is your chance to hear from CMA leadership, ask questions and vote to approve nominees for leadership positions. If you attend, please reach out to info@oma.org for details on the agenda, including questions to consider from an Ontario lens.
With patients growing more complex and medical evidence changing rapidly, physicians like you need a trusted resource platform at your fingertips. UpToDate is trusted by more than 1.7 million clinicians worldwide to support their care decisions and improve patient care. Save on an UpToDate subscription and access trusted, evidence-based recommendations in diagnosis and treatment.
Check out the latest Centred on Care story. We’ve just wrapped up our Centred on Care video series, featuring several of your colleagues making a difference in Ontario’s health-care system. Dive into our digital story
to learn more about the work of Dr. Karen Trollope-Kumar, chief medical officer at Body Brave, an eating disorder clinic in Hamilton; Dr. Ali Damji, head of the primary care division at Trillium Health Partners, and his team in newborn care at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga; and Dr. Abdel Rahman-Lawendy, medical lead at Nazem Kadri Surgical Centre at London Health Sciences Centre.
Share your input on quality standard for gender-affirming care. Ontario Health wants to hear from you on its newly drafted quality standard to improve gender-affirming care for adults. The standard’s scope includes assessment, screening, treatment, follow-up and referral guidance for gender-affirming surgery. You have until May 21 to
submit your comments.
New fee codes for oncoplastic breast surgery. A new billing brief from the Education and Prevention Committee includes details on three new fee codes for oncoplastic breast surgery procedures. Learn more about the new fee codes from the EPC – a joint committee between us and the Ministry of Health – including guidance on submitting OHIP claims for insured services, and
share your feedback.
Don't miss your shot at winning. Grab your clubs and join us at the Ontario Medical Foundation's 20th anniversary of the OMF Golf Tournament. Register before May 31 and you'll be entered into a draw for a chance to win a one-night stay at the St. Regis Toronto hotel, which includes breakfast for two (valued at $1,217). The golf tournament takes place on Sept. 20 at the Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham.
Events
Learn ways to enhance efficiency in your practice. Join us for the continuation of the Practice Efficiency series, presented by Dr. Anish Mody. You will have the opportunity to learn about efficiencies in managing messages, forms and charting, as well as key tactics for maximizing teamwork, addressing conflicts and fostering autonomy and empowerment among your team members.
Join Goodlife Fitness and save 30 per cent on all membership types for yourself and two family members
Take advantage of worldwide travel discounts with Local Hospitality, a personalized online travel service, and save up to 20 per cent on hotel and car rentals - anywhere, anytime. Congratulations to Dr. Jason Gambrel for winning the Winter Vacation Giveaway
Please note that this survey response will not be anonymous. It will be linked to your member account with OMA, and the data will be used for quality assurance purposes by the OMA team. You are not required to participate. Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statement:
