Quebec surgeons, anesthesiologists get bonuses for arriving to work on time

Quebec’s health minister says he is scandalized that surgeons and anesthesiologists get bonuses just for arriving at work by 8 a.m.

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Yet, Gaétan Barrette says he can’t do anything about the policy.

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Le Journal de Montréal reported the province’s surgeons and anesthesiologists shared $86.1 million over the past three years for getting to work on time.

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That translates into an average of more than $19,500 a year for anesthesiologists and more than $7,500 for surgeons.

Barrette says the money comes out of an overall budget and that it is up to doctors to determine how it is spent.

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The bonuses are aimed at ensuring operating rooms are up and running early in the morning.