TevlinGleadle represents the BC Anesthesiologists Society (“BCAS”) in its efforts to improve working conditions for BC anaesthesiologists.
The BCAS is taking steps to cause the BC government to address a critical shortage of qualified physicians in this critical practice area. This shortage has had created a shortage of anaesthesiologists in BC, with overworked doctors and excessive waiting lists.
BC anaesthesiologists have applied for standing before Frank Iacobucci, an eminent jurist, now retired from the Supreme Court of Canada, who has been appointed as a conciliator to achieve a resolution to various issues between the BC government and BC physicians.
The BC government is applying for an injunction to forbid the BC anaesthesiologists from withdrawing services, on the basis that all available dispute resolutions have not been exhausted. The BC Supreme Court on Friday, March 30th, 2012 postponed the BC government’s application for 3 weeks, and ordered in the interim that anaesthesiologists not reduce service levels, in spite of the fact that their agreement expired.
Dr. Jeff Rains, BCSA President said “The issue here is we need a process to deal with the problems that we have with the recruitment and retention of anesthesiologists in this province”