Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) has already begun preparing for the next round of contract negotiations. Fulsome preparations for the next round of negotiations are important, as DNS needs to understand its members’ top priorities and identify how they align with patient needs and government interests.

Process 

The DNS Board of Directors will play a prominent role in overseeing negotiations. The Board will work closely with both the Master Agreement Advisory Forum and the C/AFP Members’ Advisory Forum in preparing for and during negotiations.

Member engagement

In the spring and early summer of 2018, Doctors Nova Scotia conducted extensive member outreach to learn more about members’ priorities for the upcoming contract negotiations. The outreach strategy included a member survey, targeted group meetings, 16 meetings with physicians in academic departments in Halifax and more than 80 meetings with physicians in communities across the province. The association then gathered this input into a fulsome report. Read more about We Asked, You Answered: Doctors Nova Scotia Members’ Negotiation Priorities and download the report.

The association also called for physicians to join two Members’ Advisory Forums, one for Master Agreement physicians and a second for physicians on C/AFP contracts. These forums will inform the negotiating teams during negotiations. Read more about the role of the Members’ Advisory Forums and find out who is serving on the forums.

Connect with us 

Preparations are key to a successful negotiation. Doctors Nova Scotia needs to know what meaningful solutions look like for physicians and their patients. We need to understand your needs and how we can effectively advocate for improvements that will enhance patient care in your community.

If you’re not able to attend a meeting or to schedule DNS representatives to come into your practice for a meeting, please know that you can always provide direct feedback to the negotiations team via negotiations@doctorsns.com.