RQHR terminates in-hospital radiology service argreement

REGINA – After more than 60 years the Radiology Associates of Regina (RAR) will no longer be providing in-hospital radiology to patients at the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR).

Radiologists use x-rays, CT-scans, MRI and ultrasound imaging to diagnose injuries and illnesses, both in clinics and in hospitals.

RAR was told that its commitment with RQHR has been terminated effective December 1st and say the decision was communicated by letter and without consultation.

The RAR group makes up 22 of the 24 radiologists working in local hospitals. The notice left them stunned.

“I was completely and utterly shocked,” said breast-imaging specialist Andrea Gourgaris.

Their concern with the announcement was with this wording in particular: “A new service contract with individual radiologists is likely to be negotiated over the course of the next few months.”

“Losing the group model within RQHR is not an option because we are standing up for our patients and this is not safe for them,” said Gourgaris.

Local radiologists are concerned the move will make it harder provide comprehensive, appropriate, and safe care for patients. They fear they won’t be able to provide the same level of specialization to individuals in need.

RQHR said that won’t be the case.

“They take advantage of the strengths of the group to provide better care. That’s what they should do and that’s what we expect they would continue to do,” said senior medical officer, George Carson.

The two sides have been at odds for much of the year.

“They want us to negotiate a contract, with all the terms and conditions with RAR. We’re saying no. We don’t want to establish a contract with just one business group,” explained Keith Dewar, RQHR’s CEO.

Instead, the health region wants to establish a relationship with the group of hospital radiologists themselves, outside of RAR.

“All of the people who are members of our medical staff in imaging now will be members of our department of imaging tomorrow and as long as they want to be,” added Carson.

Two meetings aimed at negotiations this fall failed to bring any resolution, as both sided refused to budge on the group versus individual point.

Even without a contract, the RAR team will do its best to continue provide specialized services to their patients after November 30th.

Radiologists are concerned for their job safety and career uncertainty, and say a quarter of Regina radiologists have left in the last 20 months, including two that are leaving at the end of the 2015 calendar year.

RAR said the uncertainty is going to make it extremely difficult to recruit new, young specialized physicians.

RQHR alleges even with the ongoing labour dispute, patients should not be impacted.

“There is no reason for any of the care for our patients to change in any way,” said Carson.