‘Some’ doctors sign on with RHA

There are still no figures available for the number of doctors who have signed new contracts with the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA). However “some” have reportedly accepted the new terms and conditions offered by the Joint Negotiating Team of Regional Health Authorities. NWRHA communications manager Charmaine Codrington yesterday said the NWRHA is different from the South West RHA in that doctors’ contracts will be from their anniversary date of employment, and not from a calender date.

The Human Resource Department has sent out letters informing doctors of their anniversary date and the need for them to sign new contracts. “Whoever signs on is being informed that their benefits are retroactive,” Codrington said. Doctors have been working under the terms of their old contracts which expired on December 31 2002, while negotiations took place between the RHAs and their representatives.