News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

MHA Foote says patients still waiting for results
June 14, 2007

Judy Foote, MHA for the District of Grand Bank, says she is concerned that the importance of getting timely test results to patients involved in the radiology review on the Burin Peninsula is not being taken seriously.

Foote questioned the Minister of Health and Community Services in the House of Assembly about the results of the radiology review involving over 4,600 people which Eastern Health announced has now been completed. "I was disappointed to hear from Dr. Oscar Howell, vice-president of medical services at Eastern Health that, despite the minister’s assurances, it is only now that the physicians of the patients affected are being contacted. Although the minister had assured me that each patient would be notified of the results of the review as each review was completed, that did not happen," said Foote.

"Residents of the province are losing confidence in the health care system as more and more issues come to light. In many cases these are life and death issues and while many of the patients involved are waiting anxiously to hear the results of the review, they are worried as well over how long it will take to be retested. While the minister now says that it is the physician who should be the first person to get the results because it is that person who will have to decide the right treatment regime, I question why both can’t be contacted. By doing so you alleviate the fears of those who now have to wait for a call from their physician before knowing the outcome of the review. Unfortunately, it appears not enough thought went into how to handle this most difficult situation and those directly affected are bearing the brunt of the government’s mishandling of the whole affair."

Media Contact:
Kim Ploughman
Caucus Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6427