Optometrists in fee dispute with province

WINNIPEG — Manitoba optometrists have been refusing to handle urgent cases out of frustration with the provincial government, which hasn’t signed a deal with them in years.

Since March, the optometrists have referred all non-routine eye care cases, as well as patients who had surgery within the past three weeks, to the Misericordia Eye Clinic.

They’ve been directed to do so by the Manitoba Association of Optometrists.

The result is that Manitobans are taking the brunt of the job action because the clinic has become jam-packed with patients, forcing the clinic to scramble and enlist the help of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to find more staff.

“Patients are who the system is intended to serve and they are the most vulnerable,” said Winnipegger Mike Ellery, who learned about the labour dispute.

The optometry services contract expired on March 31, 2019, during the third year of the Pallister government.

Ellery admits he was confused when, back in May, his optometrist sent him to the Misericordia Eye Clinic for an issue when he had been treated for the same condition by that specialist a few years earlier.

Ellery said there were so many patients waiting when he went into the clinic one morning that, after he was not seen by the afternoon, he had to leave. He returned the next day and was treated. He said he wasn’t the only one who left without being seen by an optometrist.

But Ellery said before returning to the clinic, he spoke to the president of the association who confirmed job action was being taken.

The association did not provide a statement about the contract issue before deadline, despite being told the government response and being sent a list of questions about the dispute.

Doctors Manitoba said it has received reports that physicians have seen more patients seeking urgent care for eye issues and longer wait times.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said the government “has been actively working with optometrists over the past several months.

The minister said the contract covers optometric services, including eye exams and post-operative care, with optometrists being paid with a set tariff per service. As well, they said optometrists can also bill third-party insurers for additional services.

“We are aware of the increased demand for same-day eye care services at the Misericordia Eye Centre,” Asagwara said, adding the WRHA has implemented temporary solutions, including reallocating staff and bringing in additional physicians.”

The minister blamed the previous Tory government for refusing to meet with optometrists.

While Progressive Conservative health critic Kathleen Cook didn’t address the lack of contract negotiations during the previous Tory government, she took aim at the current government for not settling it.

“Over the last two years, Manitobans and health care professionals alike have been increasingly disappointed by the NDP’s broken promises,” Cook said. “Optometrists are joining other health-care providers, from home care attendants to nurses, who have found that the NDP’s words don’t always match their actions.

She said she had written to Asagwara twice to work with the optometrists association and resolve the dispute.

» Winnipeg Free Press