The Atlantic premiers are working on ways to eliminate barriers to make it easier for physicians to practice throughout the region.

The Council of Atlantic Premiers met in PEI this morning to discuss a number of issues of mutual concern, not the least of which was health care.

Among the topics discussed was the formation of an Atlantic Registrar of Services to help ease the movement of health care professionals in the region and allow them to practice in neighbouring provinces.

Premier Andrew Furey, who is an orthopedic surgeon by profession, says under the current system it was harder for health care professionals to take a locum in another province.

He says he is currently licensed under NL, but in order to practice in Nova Scotia or PEI, the paperwork can become “quite onerous.” What they’re considering now is an option for physicians in each province the opportunity on their annual College renewal to opt-in to an Atlantic licensure.

He says that would allow physicians to be able to lend a hand, if they feel so inclined, to fill gaps in other Atlantic provinces. Furey says they hope to eliminate the barriers in the Atlantic region first and then, hopefully, open it up to the rest of the country.