Doctors say the new digital system in our medical facilities could actually reduce access to care in some cases – and they’re calling on government to delay implementation in certain situations.

The CorCare information system is being rolled out next week province-wide, but the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association says in many rural communities, physicians provide emergency department services at Category B hospitals and their own family medicine clinics that are often located in the same building.

It says they’re being told by Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services to reduce the number of patient appointments they can book in their family practices during the implementation phase.

The association says that would only drive more patients to already-busy and understaffed emergency rooms.

Physicians say they’re okay with implementing CorCare in hospitals, but medical association president Dr. Cynthia Slade is asking NLHS to delay it in their own family medicine clinics.