The Quebec government is reported to be considering reducing the number of specialists practicing in Montreal as of next year.

The Montreal Gazette said Thursday that the government opened discussions with the federation representing medical specialists (FMSQ) last month on a plan to redistribute the number of specialists, and increase those working in areas outside the Island of Montreal.

The head of FMSQ, Dr. Gaetan Barrette, told the Gazette health ministry officials said “too many people have to cross the bridges to come on the island to get treatment.”

The FMSQ is strongly opposed to the idea which Dr. Barrette said could amount to a 10 per cent cut in the number of specialists.

He said the government plans to accomplish this by not authorizing any new specialist positions on the island and not filling any vacancies that come up.

According to Dr. Barrette, this could have “disastrous” consequences for health care in Montreal and for teaching hospitals in the city.

Spokespersons for the health ministry, contacted by the Gazette, emphasized that all decisions on the allocation of specialists are made in consultation with the medical community, and no decisions have been made yet. Any plan for 2011 would not be finalized until this fall. The issue is sure to come up in contract negotiations between the FMSQ and the government; the association presented its initial demands last April and medical manpower plans were on the list.

The head of the Council for the Protection of Patients, Paul Brunet, told the Gazette that the redistribution of specialists may be a good thing and promote equity in health services. HE