SOS...SOS...SOS

Apparently your not allowed to use the word crisis to describe the problems facing Eastern Health and other health care boards across the province. Another morning and more news of stressed specialists who are at the end of their ropes after years of pleading with the government for assistance.

This time it is urologists that have gone public to state their concerns about patient treatment. They are calling for a complete overhaul. The urologists says they need better equipment, more specialists, more nurses and enhanced clinics. One even called on government to allow an audit to be done of the current system to detail the deficiencies before there is a repeat of the botched breast cancer in urology. I would not hold my breath. Once an audit is done and the issues are independently verified the government's hands are tied and they do not like that. It makes denial very difficult!

Eastern health is saying they are adding 9 operating days to the schedule in 2009 and this will be a significant approval.

The Department of Health is studying the issue. This department is always studying issues and than these studies gather dust until one group or another raises the roof.

Yesterday the issue of the provinces gynecological oncologists flared up again as the minister got into a he- says she-says debate with the Newfoundland Medical Associations Executive Director over the status of efforts to improve gynecologic oncology.

The entire gynecological team tendered their resignation in August after a report prepared for the Minster was ignored and sat in his department for months without action. The Minister was shocked at the resignations because he thought talks with the oncologists were going okay.

It is obvious that Ross Wisemen has lost the confidence of the health care professionals and the public. It is hard to imagine that the premier would permit this charade to continue with the Carmeron Commission as a backdrop.

The Province needs a proactive Health Minister and soon! Bring back Liz!