Salaried doctors not in the cards, says health minister

Putting more of Manitoba's physicians on salary would not necessarily lead to better health care, says Health Minister Theresa Oswald.

Oswald was responding to suggestions by some health experts that the province should consider paying doctors a salary instead of a fee for service schedule.

The suggestions arose following allegations that a Selkirk, Man., physicianrefused to discuss a woman's heart problems unless she booked a second appointment.

The woman's husband, Bruce Angus, said his wife, Samantha, had originally gone to the doctor to discuss her back pain.

But when Samantha tried to mention that she was also having chest pains, the doctor allegedly said, "One appointment, one problem" and walked out of the office, according to Angus.

Samantha Angus, 60, later died of a heart attack.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba says it is concerned that agrowing number of doctors are asking patients to book separate appointmentsfor each medical complaint they have.

But Oswald said putting more doctors on salary would not necessarilylead to a better health-care service.

"Doctors see much less volume of patients and are not necessarily able to care for as many people as we want them to," said Oswald, adding that the province is looking at a new blended model for compensating doctors.

Oswald added that recently, compensation formulas were changed so that doctors earn more if they spend extra time with people suffering from chronic illness.