A Stephenville physician says he’s not going to quit, but he is considering leaving once his 2-year commitment to the province is met due to ongoing issues he’s faced in receiving his promised incentive bonus.
Dr. Neil Patterson was one of a number of physicians recently recruited to practice in the province through an incentive package introduced by government.
The Ontario native came to Newfoundland to complete his residency, fell in love with the province, and saw the incentives offered as a good way to pay down his student loans.
However, he’s encountering problems getting the $200,000 promised to him. Patterson says he joined a collaborative care team, and because he’s also covering emergency room and hospital shifts, he’s being told he can’t avail of the bonus.
Patterson told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly that the problem is, he’s been asked to cover the hospital shifts by NLHS, the same people denying him the bonus for the same reason.
Photo via Town of Stephenville.
“I think it’s important to emphasize that quite clearly, in my contract it includes all of these responsibilities at the hospital. So, my time in the ER, my time in the operating room, my time looking after the inpatients, and covering the chemotherapy patients, all of that is quite specifically listed in my contract.”
Patterson says the dispute has gone into the legal realm and he’s not in direct contact with NLHS on the matter.
In the meantime, he’s pleased with the support he’s received and is hearing from other physicians who have faced similar issues.
“More people are coming forward and telling me about their experiences with NLHS and who have been in very similar situations…and people even before signing their contracts are having such a tough time signing to come working here that they’re leaving the province before they’ve even started,” says Patterson. “It’s a larger issue than me and it affects the public.”
