EDMONTON — Opposition politicians in Alberta have renewed their calls for a public inquiry into health care after more suggestions that doctors with concerns were bullied into silence.
Independent Raj Sherman, who is also an emergency room doctor, introduced a claim in the legislature Wednesday from another physician who said he was intimidated for five years after speaking out about how his colleagues had been treated.
“I have evidence that a culture of fear and intimidation does exist on a wide scale,” said the letter from Abilio Nunes, an anesthesiologist at Edmonton’s Grey Nuns Hospital.
“I personally faced more than five years of intimidation for speaking out against the intimidation a colleague was facing.”
Liberal Opposition Leader David Swann said he planned to introduce yet another letter on Thursday that contained similar claims from a University of Alberta medical professor who retired five years ago.
“He was intimidated and harassed, and his life has been miserable, and he was threatened with possible dismissal,” said Swann, who promised to name the doctor when he released the letter. “How many does this government have to listen to before it sees and does the right thing — call a public inquiry?”
It was the latest in a string of similar allegations that have surfaced since the legislature resumed sitting last month with an explosive statement by Sherman that doctors had been intimidated and bribed to cover up the deaths of 250 lung cancer patients waiting for surgery.
The government responded earlier this month by calling an investigation to be led by the independent Health Quality Council.
Most of the allegations are from years ago. Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said times have changed.
“I can’t change anything in the past, but today I can tell you that the spirit is one of total openness,” he said before question period.
He pointed to an open letter released Wednesday by Alberta Health Services, which administers day-to-day health care in the province.
“The AHS code of conduct does not restrict a physician or other practitioner to speak out. Quite the opposite,” the letter says. “In essence, we are required to bring our concerns forward. We are not merely given permission to do so.”
Swann said it’s harder for medical staff to talk about recent or ongoing issues
“It will become much more problematic if they raise it now,” he said. “It could go to court. It could prejudice outcomes of court.”
Swann said the old complaints remain relevant.
“This is a growing number of physicians and nurses coming forward to say there is a culture of intimidation that is only growing.”
Swann pointed to a recent letter from Dr. Patrick White, president of the Alberta Medical Association, that accuses the government of using “intimidation” tactics in negotiating a new salary deal for doctors. The government threatened to cut several popular funding programs during those talks, White said.
Sherman, who has taken out a Liberal membership and plans to run for the party leadership, said complaints from doctors have a lot more credibility than government responses.
“Physicians are scared, simply put,” he said. “(Are) you going to believe politicians or (are) you going to believe doctors? What reason do they have to come forward? What benefit is there? They may be punished tomorrow.”
Zwozdesky denied any such culture exists.
“What I see is some openness occurring that is quite refreshing. I encourage doctors to ... bring forward issues. That’s what the review is all about and they should direct those to the health quality review.”
Leaders from all the opposition parties have joined Sherman in saying only a public inquiry, led by a judge with the power to compel testimony and protect witnesses, will get to the bottom of health-care complaints.