Dr. Simon Bonnington, Welcome Collaborative presenter and family physician, presenting his session What’s in a Name? Drug Names, Sick Notes, and Worker’s Compensation

Dr. Simon Bonnington has been a presenter in the Welcome Collaborative program since it was first piloted in 2022. Like the Welcome Collaborative participants, Dr. Bonnington is a physician trained outside of Canada (PTOC). He arrived in Nova Scotia in 2010 after working in the UK for 19 years and is a family medicine physician practising in Annapolis Royal.

“When I entered my practice in Annapolis Royal, I started working with a very supportive physician group. I’m aware that not every doctor coming to live and work in Nova Scotia has the privilege of what I have, so if there’s any way that I can assist, then not only is it my professional responsibility and duty to do so, but it’s also my privilege to do so,” says Dr. Bonnington.

Dr. Bonnington’s session entitled, What’s in a Name? Drug Names, Sick Notes, and Worker’s Compensation discuss the differences in prescribing practices in Nova Scotia compared to other parts of the world. Dr. Bonnington wants participants to take their medical knowledge and build on it to help them practice in Nova Scotia.

“All the participants in the Welcome Collaborative are experienced doctors, and they are experienced in prescribing in the environment they were previously practicing in, but North America is different. I want to draw their attention to some of the differences that exist and maybe some of the reasons for some of those differences,” says Dr. Bonnington.

Dr. Bonnington is excited to see the Welcome Collaborative provide important knowledge and connections to new physicians in the province.

“I think the Welcome Collaborative allows physicians to realize that they are not on their own,” says Dr. Bonnington. “The sheer numbers of physicians being able to connect with each other and share with each other and learn from each other is, I think, a wonderful opportunity.”