The relationship between the New Brunswick government and its doctors has been rocky but the two sides are talking about a new working agreement.
“We're both committed to patient care, we're both committed to a sustainable health system and that's all good," says New Brunswick Health Minister Hugh Flemming.
Both sides are expressing optimism over the contract talks but there was a major rift between the province and physicians last year. Flemming was looking to cap Medicare payments but the doctors resisted.
The doctors challenged the move and a judge ruled in their favour, saying they had a legally binding contract.
“The province of New Brunswick and the Medical Society has a relationship that transcends the odd little bump along the way," says Flemming.
Anthony Knight, CEO of the New Brunswick Medical Society, won't get into specifics of the talks, but says they are dealing with issues of importance to patients.
“That's been the keen interest of physicians and why we wanted to be at the table and I think the province recognizes that and we're working very hard to come to a positive resolution," says Knight.
While both sides are speaking positively about the negotiations, the province’s Liberal health critic has some concerns about the health minister’s involvement.
"If there's one thing the government has learned from last year it’s that, keep Flemming out of that board room, keep Flemming out of those discussions and then you can have that cordial discussion with the doctors," says New Brunswick Liberal Health critic Donald Arsenault.
Flemming says he understands that talks are going well but as minister, he is not part of the negotiations.
While they won’t discuss the specifics of the negotiations, both sides say they’re optimistic a new deal can be reached.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell and The Canadian Press
