The Quebec government has introduced a new, ground-breaking regulatory proposal. This groundbreaking initiative will significantly reduce administrative burdens for physicians and significantly increase patient access to care. In response, Health Minister Christian Dubé introduced a new regulation. Today’s announcement is another step in the government’s commitment to streamline red tape for healthcare providers. This effort has come on the heels of the passage of Bill 68 in the fall of 2024 election.
According to Dubé’s office, the proposed regulation would liberate around 310,000 medical appointments in its first year alone. Once the rule is fully implemented, the federal government projects that they will increase this number to about 590,000 appointments per year. Overall, the regulation takes a step toward streamlining processes. It eliminates the burden on physicians to fill out forms for absences of less than three days.
Members of the public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed regulation during a 45-day consultation period. It will be published in the Official Gazette, providing for public comment from all of you. This step gives stakeholders an opportunity to comment on and interact with the proposal changes in question.
“We are doing everything we can to lighten the workload of doctors so that they can devote more time to patients,” Dubé stated. “This proposed regulation will help free up many appointment slots in primary care and improve access to care by placing the real needs of patients at the heart of our health system.”
The initiative is in line with the vision adopted by the Quebec government to make healthcare more accessible, while staying focused on the needs of patients. Last year, Dubé’s office rolled out new measures to reduce the administrative burden on physicians. This endeavor underscores a concrete dedication to advancing the working environment of health care workers.
The new draft regulation is meant to relieve some of that burden on doctors. At the same time, it makes sure that patients receive the fast and convenient emergency care they deserve. By addressing the challenges posed by excessive paperwork, the government aims to create a more efficient healthcare system that is responsive to the needs of its citizens.
