News release

Province Commits to More Accountability on Physician Academic Funding

Health (to Jan. 2011)
Treasury Board (Sept. 2009 - June 2013)

The province released an independent review of the processes for paying physicians through academic funding plans, today, Dec. 21.

The report will inform future work in this area, ensuring that Nova Scotians will see better care and more accountability.

"This report provides us with good information and advice, and government has already begun to act on some of the recommendations," said Health Minister Maureen MacDonald. "We need to ensure we use our health resources in the best way to achieve the best patient care."

Steps are being taken to hire a project director to lead future work related to the new academic funding plan model.

Deloitte also recommended that Nova Scotia needs a plan to address physician resources in the province. Government has committed to address this in the Better Care Sooner Plan and by developing a physician resource plan for the province.

In Nova Scotia, about 545 physicians are paid through academic funding plans. These physicians provide patient care, teach at the medical school and conduct research.

Since the mid-1990s, the amount dedicated to AFPs has continued to grow, and in the past three years, Deloitte found, they had grown by 16 per cent. The agreements are projected to total about $191 million for 2010-11. In 2006-07, they were valued at $149 million.

The report is available at www.gov.ns.ca/treasuryboard/ .