DUE TO CONFIDENTIALITY CONCERNS,AND LIABILITY , WE ARE DRIFTING AWAY FROM SOME OF THE VIRTUAL CARE INITIATIVES THAT WERE NEEDED DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC. WE WOULD PREFER TO SEE PATIENTS FACE TO FACE. TELEPHONE REFILLS AND TELEPHONE APPROPRIATE BRIEF CONSULTATION WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE
Read MoreWe will be away from the office on vacation from
FROM MONDAY AUG 28TH RETURNING ON MONDAY 11 SEPT
Read MoreGone Fishing. We will be open tuesday 8th August to serve you
Read MoreWe will be available to serve you during regular daytime office hours M-F
Read MoreToday on June 21 we mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, an important opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and honour the diverse cultures, languages, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples across Nova Scotia and Canada.
Read MoreTaking a much needed Day off for The Doctors and Admin Staff
Read MoreThe WHO Director-General concurs with the advice offered by the Committee regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He determines that COVID-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
Read MoreWhile NSHA has not published mask guidance, Our office policy at the Antigonish Mall Clinic will simply ask you to wear a mask for any respiratory symptoms.
Read MoreHappy Easter !!
Read MoreOUR STAFF ARE EXPERIENCING INCREASED VERBAL ABUSE/HARASSMENT IN RECENT TIME
HEALTH CARE SYSTEMIC STRAINS ARE NO EXCUSE FOR UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR/COMMUNICATION/PROFANITY
PATIENTS WILL BE DISCHARGED FROM OUR MEDICAL PRACTICE WITHOUT WARNING SHOULD HARRASSMENT OCCUR
WE WILL BE OUT OF THE OFFICE 30TH AND 31ST OF MARCH FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES UPDATE MEETINGS
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO REVIEW YOUR DIABETIC MANAGEMENT
WE ARE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE USE OF RYBELSUS AND OZEMPIC AS PART OF YOUR TREATMENT PLAN
Read MoreFrom President Doctors NS
“Nova Scotia’s doctors work hard to care for their patients, provide them with appropriate advice and advocate on their behalf.
In 2005, the federal government expanded the disability tax credit. This non-refundable tax credit helps disabled people (or those who support them) reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay. As a result of the expansion, individuals may now backfile for up to 10 years. While this has been very welcome for many Canadians, the expansion has resulted in several unintended consequences that are of concern to Doctors Nova Scotia.
Chief among these has been the proliferation of third-party companies aggressively marketing to Canadians with the message that disabled people may be eligible for tens of thousands of dollars in tax refunds – and that all it takes is to have their physician complete the disability tax form. However, these for-profit companies don’t have the complete health profile of the patients they are dealing with, and they are not positioned to suggest medical diagnoses. In addition, these third-party companies often take a percentage of any refund in return for their services.
The challenge is that these companies often create great expectations of financial windfall for individuals, but in some cases, physicians are not able to confirm the patient’s disability to the degree needed to qualify for the tax benefit. This then strains the physician-patient relationship. If a physician determines they cannot ethically support a determination of disability, these companies will implore the patient to ask the doctor to change the diagnosis to support a claim.
Nova Scotia’s physicians will always provide the best medical care, support and advice for their patients. They will always try to do what is best for their patients’ health and wellbeing. Physicians are regulated by authorities such as the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and they are bound by their code of ethics. Physicians cannot – and should not – be pressured to make diagnoses on the basis of aggressive marketing tactics used by companies that want to make a profit from patients.
If you believe you have a disability that would entitle you to claim the disability tax credit, speak to your family physician. Trust that your physician will, as they always do, treat you with your best interest at heart. You don’t need to be seduced by the self-interested marketing of for-profit businesses.”
Sincerely,
Tim Holland, MD, CCFP (EM)
President
We will be closed monday Feb 20th for Heritage Day/Family Day
Read MoreWe hope to be open by 11 am to 12 noon, Some appointments will be changed to Telephone in a way of supporting our clients
Read MoreWishing you and your families a happy new year filled with hope, health, and happiness - with a generous sprinkle of fun! Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a Happy New Year. May peace, love, and prosperity follow you always.
Read More
