In a historic judgement, doctors in Quebec have been ordered by a Quebec Superior Court to pay $7 million to patients after 10,000 of them were deprived of proper treatment.

In a 3 day strike held in 2002 and 2003, patients whose care was suspended for those 3 days took out a class action suit against the medical specialists.

La Federation des Medecins Specialistes du Quebec (FMSQ) has been ordered to pay over $7 million in damages and interest to between 3,000 and 10,000 patients who wee left without care during the 3 days of the strike.

The judgement filed on behalf of the Council for the Protection of Patients states doctors are obliged to treat patients and cannot decide at will to cancel or postpone planned appointments and surgeries.

In 2002 and 2003, three study days were held at the Olympic Stadium on 13th November, 2nd December and 18th January, resulting in some doctors suspending services to attend the conferences. It appears the doctors were looking for wage parity with other provinces.

The first day of the study saw 3,000 of the province's 7,500 specialists cancelling bookings. However, the work action did affect urgent appointments or chemotherapy.

Paul Brunet, General Manager of the Council said it remains to be seen whether the FMSQ accepts the judgment or appeals.

The FMSQ in a statement issued Friday said it would not comment on the matter.