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Advocacy and Representation
At the CAGS Board Meeting in February of 2008, a session was held to determine how CAGS can best advocate for its members. The following political advocacy objective was identified:
CAGS will effectively advocate all issues relating to the specialty of General Surgery across Canada.
It was recognized that General Surgeons need representation to address growing concern in the following areas: quality of patient care, access to care, human resources, physical resources (OR times, Endo time), quality of life, lifestyle, remuneration, identity, and image.
Supporting Goal and Priorities
- Interaction with other groups such as the CMA, Members of Parliament, Royal College, provincial surgical associations, and other medical professional organizations
- Development and/or endorsement of position statements on delivery of surgical care and standards of care
- Enhanced, frequent and updated mechanisms of communication such as the newsletters, website, more frequent teleconferences, etc.
Progress since February 2008
- Individuals identified from CAGS Board to respond to media inquiries
- Launch of redesigned and user-friendly newsletter "General Surgery Matters"
- Political Action Committee meeting held July 2nd - decision to focus on provincial representation and issues
- Further discussion with CNMO - new Specialist Forum created through CMA
- Ongoing discussions and planning with CMA to join the Wait Times Alliance
- New user-friendly website launch August 29th
- September 10th Meeting to take place with all Provincial Representatives
Future Plans
- Further discussion and collaboration with CMA's new Specialist Forum
- 2009 CSF will offer a Media Relations workshop
- Increased communications with Provincial Representatives
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