January 12, 1998, Toronto, ON -- The Health Services Restructuring Commission (HSRC) today released a discussion paper on medical human resources issues. The paper is the report submitted to the Commission from a team of physician fact finders appointed on August 25, 1997 to identify key issues related to medical human resource adjustment resulting from restructuring, and recommend options and processes to resolve them.

"Our goal is to ensure that basic principles and steps are articulated in a manner that will ensure that patient care continues to be available during restructuring and that physicians are treated fairly and equitably in attaining privileges and access to resources in a restructured system. The proposed processes will help hospitals match physician resources to patient needs once restructuring is complete," said Dr. Duncan Sinclair, Chair of the HSRC.

The HSRC is interested in receiving feedback from interested organizations and individuals on the issues and proposed recommendations included in the fact finders' report. Specific comments regarding the proposed recommendations should be forwarded to the Commission in writing no later than January 30, 1998.

Copies of the discussion paper can be obtained by calling the HSRC at 416-327-5919 or 1-800-565-4453. After reviewing feedback, the HSRC will release a final report and intended directions on physician human resource issues to affected hospitals.

The discussion paper recommends that:

• all hospitals form a transitional medical human resources team, articulate and apply specific principles to developing physician adjustment policies during the period of restructuring;
• the Boards of receiving and amalgamated hospitals stabilize the delivery of care and maintain quality of service by means of implementing a two-phased appointment process. Phase 1 includes the immediate granting of appointments for a transitional period to all physicians affected by the amalgamation or relinquishment of hospital services and programs. Following this first phase, a new medical resources plan will be created at each of the remaining hospitals (Phase 2).

"On behalf of the Commission, I thank the fact finders for their thorough review of this complex issue. Their work will help ensure that disruptions to the provision of medical services for patients are minimized to the extent possible, and that physicians are treated in a fair manner throughout the restructuring process," said Commission Chair Duncan Sinclair.

In August 1997, the Commission named Dr. John Atkinson, independent health care consultant and former chief of staff at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, to chair the fact finders' task force. Kingston-based family physician Dr. Ruth Wilson and

Dr. John F. Jarrell, Chief Medical Officer of the Calgary Regional Health Authority were the other members of the fact finders' team.

The HSRC is a group of individuals appointed by the Ontario government to make decisions about hospital care and recommendations about improving all health care services. It is an independent agency of doctors, health care educators, hospital administrators, former hospital board members and other experts.

Contact: Beverley J. Nickoloff (416) 327-5508

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