The College expects physicians to adhere to and support the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer of Health regarding vaccinations for COVID-19. The public is assuming all physicians are fully vaccinated. Physicians who are unable to be fully vaccinated due to a medical exemption, or who choose to not be fully vaccinated, are expected to: advise their patients of their vaccination status in advance of any in-person clinical encounters; andtake all recommended [...]
These are extraordinary times. We commend physicians for their service and flexibility as we move through the pandemic. Across the province, primary care physicians are providing both virtual and in-person care. Physicians have developed office systems to pre-screen and sequester potentially COVID-19 infectious patients. They are practicing safely and effectively, accessing the supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) available through the NSH. We are aware that there is a scattering of primary care providers practicing virtual medicine exclusively or only offering in-person care to the fully vaccinated and asymptomatic.
Throughout Nova Scotia, many organizations are requiring that all staff and visitors be vaccinated against COVID-19. It is not unreasonable to expect that, in response, physicians will be asked to provide medical notes for patients who have chosen not to be vaccinated. As physicians continue to work to mitigate any further spread of COVID-19, the College aims to support their leadership with clear guidance on their responsibilities in this circumstance. Physicians must only support requests for a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination for patients with a legitimate medical condition that would warrant an exemption. The office of the Chief Medical [...]
We wish to express our appreciation to all physicians who have been deployed by Nova Scotia Health or IWK to contribute to the pandemic response in ways outside their normal scope of practice. As the province moves through the third wave of the pandemic, physicians have continued to demonstrate leadership in their commitment to providing care. These continue to be stressful times, with physicians raising their hands to help wherever needed. We wish to reassure physicians the College will not hold deployed physicians to practice within a scope strictly consistent with recent training and experience.
The College has been asked by the Department of Health & Wellness (DHW) to distribute this message to registered physicians. Physicians are to refer patients regarding covid vaccine booking to 1-833-797-7772 only.
Given the public health directives in response to the recent increase in COVID cases, licensed physicians may be asked by their Health Authority to contribute to the pandemic response in ways outside their normal scope of practice. The College wishes to reassure physicians its support of this measure. When deployed by a Health Authority to support the pandemic response, the College will not hold physicians to practice within a scope strictly consistent with recent training and experience. This approach applies to Physicians privileged and working [...]
Retired physicians within three years of practice may be eligible for an Emergency Licence. The College is working closely with Nova Scotia Health to license those retired physicians wishing to assist in the COVID-19 immunization efforts. There is no fee for this emergency licensure. A streamlined process is in place to quickly issue such licences. Physicians who are interested in supporting immunization clinics have been asked by Nova Scotia Health to complete please complete
The College has instituted a new policy in recognition of the postponement of the Medical Council of Canada’s Qualifying Examinations Part II. As a result of this exam delay, a number of physicians are unable to meet the requirements of obtaining LMCC for Full licensure. The College’s Pandemic-Related Exceptions to the Requirement for the MCCQE Part II Policy allows exceptions for those who were affected by the postponement of this qualifying examination. Review the new policy.
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