Lawsuit more proof of doctor intimidation: Liberals
The Alberta Liberals claimed Tuesday that a lawsuit filed last year is another example of a physician facing intimidation by provincail health officials.
Fort McMurray physician Dr. Michel Sauvé filed a statement of claim last year against the former Northern Lights Health Region and Alberta Health Services, alleging his reputation was smeared and hospital privileges reduced in 2008.
He also alleged that administrators tried to drive him out of the community.
"He was threatened, intimidated, marginalized, lost privileges ... he feels there's attempts now being made to push him out of the community" Liberal Leader David Swann said.
"This is a well-respected specialist who is president of the medical staff there and has been harassed and has had a miserable time with this."
Swann said Sauvé is the latest in a list of doctors who have filed lawsuits over how they were treated by health officials. He says the case provides another example of why the government should call a public inquiry.
The allegations in the lawsuit have not been proven in court. Sauvé and Alberta Health Services declined comment as the case is before the courts.
A number of cases of alleged physician intimidation have come out since the issue was first raised in the Alberta legislature by Independent MLA Raj Sherman. The Alberta Medical Association threw its support behind a public inquiry last week.
The Stelmach government has brushed aside these calls so far, saying the Health Quality Council of Alberta is the proper body to investigate the complaints.
On Monday, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said a public inquiry chaired by a judge would be too expensive and take too long.
But opposition parties say the HQC review lacks the transparency needed to properly investigate the allegations because it will take place behind closed doors.
Stelmach ruled out a public inquiry again Tuesday.
"So far nothing has come forward to the house other than a long list of, you know series of emails and some letters, but that's about it in terms of the evidence," he said.
Stelmach thinks it's time to move on as he believes many of the allegations are 10 to 15 years old.
