Quebec family doctors speak out against new bill, say it will hurt the quality-of-care patients receive
Opposition continues to grow against Quebec's new legislation regulating family doctors.
A group of family doctors spoke out against Bill 106 in Montreal on Monday, saying it will have a direct negative impact on the quality of care patients receive.
'This is very frustrating for us because we're just trying to do the best that we can with what we have,' said Dr. Nacim Kerouch, a family doctor at GMF-U Maisonneuve-Rosemont.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Under the new legislation, the health minister wants to link doctor pay to their performance in an effort to get them to see more patients.
'Everyone gives their 100 per cent, so when you hear that you're lazy, like, really? Do you think that we're lazy people? We did med school,' said Dr Sarah Giraldeau, medical director of GMF-U Maisonneuve-Rosemont
Story continues below advertisement
The family physicians joined forces with Quebec Solidaire MNAs to denounce Bill 106 on Monday. The doctors fear they'll be forced to spend less time with each person.
'I can't see a patient in 10 minutes, because in 10 minutes, the patient hardly has time to explain to me what the problem is,' said Giraldeau.
For the full story, watch the video above.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
6 infants born with congenital measles in Ontario from unvaccinated mothers
Ontario's chief medical officer of health says six infants have been born with congenital measles since an outbreak began last fall, adding they were infected in the womb through mothers who were not vaccinated. Dr. Kieran Moore says these infants recovered, but their infections could have been prevented if their mothers had been vaccinated and protected from contracting measles. Congenital measles can result in severe complications, including inflammation of the brain and death. On Thursday, Moore announced an infant born prematurely and infected with measles died in southwestern Ontario. He says the infant also faced other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Moore says 40 pregnant people have been infected with measles in Ontario, and only two were vaccinated. Story continues below advertisement Moore suggests unvaccinated pregnant people isolate if they live in a community with active measles cases. Health officials have reported more than 2,000 cases in the province since the outbreak began in October. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is not recommended once a person is pregnant because it contains a live virus that could theoretically be transmitted to the fetus. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends unvaccinated pregnant people get one dose of intravenous immunoglobulin within six days if they are exposed to measles. However, Moore said that message faces hurdles similar to those around vaccine hesitancy. 'Some people, if they don't want a vaccine, they may not want the immunoglobulin either. That may be a philosophical choice,' Moore said Friday. In an editorial published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Dr. Catherine Varner argues pregnant people are 'bearing the burden' of Canada's measles outbreak. 'Pregnant people are often at higher risk than the general population in infectious disease outbreaks. As such, they cannot be an afterthought in preventive strategies and health-care systems' responses,' Varner writes. Moore said the vast majority of pregnant people in Ontario are fully vaccinated against measles. 'It's only a very small subgroup of people who have chosen not to get vaccinated who are having the complications,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 'I know some will concentrate on the glass being half-empty. You know, to have that level of protection in the face of the risks globally, I think is quite an accomplishment. 'I'd love to have 100 per cent, but we have to work with these communities that have chosen not to be vaccinated, and that is a long and difficult conversation that I think all of our health-care workers are dedicated to having.'
Global News
a day ago
- Global News
Palestinians say Israeli fire kills 5 near aid sites. Israel says it fired warning shots
Israeli fire killed at least five people and wounded others as they headed toward two aid distribution points in Gaza run by an Israeli and U.S.-backed group, Palestinian health officials and witnesses said Sunday. Israel's military said it fired warning shots at people who approached its forces. The past two weeks have seen frequent shootings near the new hubs where thousands of Palestinians — desperate after 20 months of war — are being directed to collect food. Witnesses say nearby Israeli troops have opened fire, and more than 80 people have been killed, according to Gaza hospital officials. In all, at least 108 bodies were brought to hospitals in Gaza over the past 48 hours, the territory's health ministry said. Israel's military said it struck dozens of militant targets throughout Gaza over the past day. Four of the latest bodies were brought to Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. Palestinian witnesses said Israeli forces fired on them at a roundabout around a kilometre from a site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in nearby Rafah. Story continues below advertisement Israel's military said it fired warning shots at 'suspects' who had advanced toward its forces and ignored warnings to turn away. It said the shooting occurred in an area that is considered an active combat zone at night. Al-Awda Hospital said it received the body of a 42-year-old man and 29 people who were wounded near another GHF aid distribution point in central Gaza. The military said it fired warning shots in the area at around 6:40 a.m. but did not see any casualties. A GHF official said there was no violence in or around its distribution sites, all three of which delivered aid on Sunday. The group closed them temporarily last week to discuss safety measures with Israel's military and has warned people to stay on designated access routes. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. The new aid hubs are set up inside Israeli military zones where independent media have no access. Witnesses fear for their safety Witnesses said the shooting in southern Gaza occurred at around 6 a.m., when they were told the site would open. Many headed toward it early, seeking desperately needed food before the crowds arrived. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Adham Dahman, who was at Nasser Hospital with a bandage on his chin, said a tank fired toward them. 'We didn't know how to escape,' he said. 'This is trap for us, not aid.' Story continues below advertisement Zahed Ben Hassan said someone next to him was shot in the head. He said he and others pulled the body from the scene. 'They said it was a safe area from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. … So why did they start shooting at us?' he said. 'There was light out, and they have their cameras and can clearly see us.' 2:24 Palestinians hold Eid al-Adha prayers at graveyards, ruins of mosques The military announced on Friday that the sites would be open during those hours, and that the area would be a closed military zone the rest of the time. Children cried over their father's body at the hospital. 'I can't see you like this, Dad!' one girl said. Aid distributed inside Israeli military zones Gaza's roughly two-million Palestinians are almost completely reliant on international aid because nearly all food production capabilities have been destroyed. Story continues below advertisement The new aid hubs are run by GHF, a new group of mainly American contractors. Israel wants it to replace a system co-ordinated by the United Nations and international aid groups. Israel and the United States accuse the Hamas militant group of stealing aid. The U.N. denies there is systematic diversion. The U.N. says the new system is unable to meet mounting needs, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon by determining who can receive it and forces people to relocate to where aid sites are positioned. The U.N. system has struggled to deliver aid, even after Israel eased its complete blockade of Gaza last month. U.N. officials say their efforts are hindered by Israeli military restrictions, the breakdown of law and order and widespread looting. Experts warned earlier this year that Gaza was at critical risk of famine if Israel did not lift its blockade and halt its military campaign. Both were renewed in March. Israeli officials have said the offensive will continue until all hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and sent into exile. Story continues below advertisement Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Talks mediated by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been deadlocked for months. Hamas started the war with its attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, when Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 251 hostage. They still hold 55 hostages, fewer than half of them alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel has recovered dozens of bodies, including three in recent days, and rescued eight living hostages during the war. Israel's military campaign has killed over 54,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry. It says women and children make up most of the dead but does not say how many civilians or combatants were killed. Israel says it has killed over 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90 per cent of its population. 1:28 Israel retrieves body of Thai hostage as 95 people reported killed in Gaza –with files from The Associated Press' Melanie Lidman
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
Health Canada warns consumers not to inhale ‘laughing gas' recreationally
Health Canada has issued a statement urging consumers not to inhale nitrous oxide products for recreational purposes, and warning about the serious health risks of doing so as reports of instances are on the rise, and as authorities are cracking down on the production, distribution, and sale of these products to the public. Commonly known by various street names, including 'laughing gas,' or 'whippets,' nitrous oxide can be found in some food products and tools including various 'cream dispensers,' which Health Canada says is not meant to be inhaled. Legitimate and safe usage of nitrous oxide in certain medical and dental procedures by an authorized health care professional can have positive associated effects including sedation and pain relief, the agency says. Unsafe inhalation or 'huffing' of the gas can have serious adverse effects, including loss of consciousness, birth defects, heart attack, stroke and in some cases, even death. Story continues below advertisement The warning also says that repeated use can result in lasting neurological damage, even after stopping. In addition, there is a risk of addiction and withdrawal symptoms. 1:35 B.C. doctor had warning for anyone using 'whippits' Health Canada notes it is strictly prohibited to advertise and sell nitrous oxide products for inhalation to the public, and highlights that they are still being sold online and in retail stores. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In some cases the products may feature what it calls 'deceptive labelling,' which may include 'whip cream chargers.' They may also be sold in stores one wouldn't expect to find them, and in containers not commonly associated with dispensing whipped cream. According to the Health Canada statement, these unauthorized products are being shipped illegally across the border, and several shipments have been seized by the Canada Border Services Agency. Health Canada adds that it is continuing to work with the CBSA to stop the shipment and sale of these products. Story continues below advertisement Some of the seized products were reportedly labeled under brand names including 'Bamboozle,' 'Primewhip,' and 'Space Gas.' In addition to warning consumers not to inhale such nitrous oxide products recreationally, Health Canada says to seek immediate medical attention from a health care professional if used recreationally, as well as if experiencing any side effects — even if used for medical purposes. If consumers suspect such products are being sold, distributed or advertised, they are being asked to file a complaint with Health Canada.
