---------- De�: "Simone White" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> R�pondre �: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date�: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 18:36:05 -0400 ��: "Michel Garner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Objet�: CAEP Press Release
Dear CAEP Members; Below is the press release that was sent today via the National Press Gallery in Ottawa. We have also sent the release to the QC and Federal Health Ministries as well as the affiliated medical associations. This press release was prepared by the CAEP Public Affairs Committee after email discussions and teleconferences, including some members of the AMUQ Board who support our position and our concern over the impact that the Quebec bill could have nationally. The CAEP Board is certainly willing to assist the AMUQ Board on this most sensitive issue. We are planning a second statement early next week that is more specific on the solutions CAEP can contribute. If any of you have any comments on the issue or related stories please do not hesitate to contact myself at [EMAIL PROTECTED], or Sue Norrington at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Best regards, Simone White Public Affairs Desk Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 104-1785 Alta Vista Dr Ottawa ON K1G 3Y6 ph: 613-523-3343 X13 fx: 613-523-0190 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] MEDIA RELEASE Qu�bec government sets dangerous precedent For Immediate Release Ottawa, July 26, 2002--The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) is strongly opposed to the principle embodied in the recently passed legislation by the Qu�bec government to force unwilling, and possibly unprepared, family physicians to staff the province's emergency departments. This legislation sets a dangerous precedent that may be repeated in other provinces. "Such legislation will possibly subject the public to an increased risk of poor clinical outcomes when faced with an acute medical illness or injury", said Dr. Fran�ois B�langer, President of CAEP. "As such, this is more of an issue of an infringement on patient rights than those of physicians." He acknowledged and supported the government's right to try to maintain the integrity of emergency services for their population. "But, this is not the correct approach." In fact, CAEP believes Qu�bec patients may be at greater risk for adverse outcomes as this bill will staff emergency departments with physicians who possibly have not maintained nor are comfortable with acute care skills. The wholesale conscription of family physicians and general practitioners, who are to be pressganged into emergency service, will lead to inadequate emergency care and increased risk of medical malpractice. Such an approach may seem at first to reflect the needs of the population, but it merely provides a convenient fa�ade to comfort an unsuspecting public and will provide them with false hope and expectations when they present for emergency care. "An emergency department's availability must be continuous in both urban and non-urban settings", Dr. B�langer said. "We support a well-coordinated regionalized system of care, involving cooperation between pre-hospital services, peripheral health care emergency services and tertiary care emergency departments." The problems faced in Qu�bec are not unique. All provinces in Canada are having human resources difficulties in their Emergency Departments. CAEP's experience in other provinces is that the stabilization of emergency services can be achieved at both a reasonable cost and with no infringement on either patient safety or physician rights. "We recognize any government's right to attempt to stabilize emergency services. Unfortunately the current circumstances in Qu�bec are reactive to a recent tragedy and paradoxically may place emergency patients at greater risk. "CAEP as a national organization endeavours to build stronger relationships between emergency physicians and various levels of government. We are willing and equipped to cooperate with any government in the planning and development of an effective, co-ordinated emergency health-services system." -30- Contact: Simone White, Public Affairs Desk, CAEP (613) 523-3343 X. 13 ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Sue Norrington, Administrator, CAEP (613) 523-3343 X. 15 ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
