Management problems at Central Health being addressed, health minister says
John Haggie had choice words about issues when he worked for health authority
Health Minister John Haggie has spoken publicly about ongoing management issues within Central Health, his former employer, after weeks of silence about how the regional health authority is being run.
CBC News had previously asked Haggie for comment on a number of issues about Central Health — including complaints from doctors about bullying and harassment from managers — but he had refused.
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Haggie, a Gander-based surgeon who was elected in November's general election, answered questions Tuesday in the House of Assembly.
"[The chair of Central Health's board] is holding a series of confidential bilaterals with representatives from physicians and senior management, independently, from across the district," he said during question period on Wednesday.
"It is their responsibility to deal with those issues and I have confidence that they're doing that."
Independent review
Former health minister Steve Kent isn't satisfied with Haggie's involvement in the process.
"I would remind the minister that he has a responsibility, in addition to the board," Kent told the house.
Kent is calling for an independent review of senior management and administration at Central Health.
Haggie described management tactic as 'Machiavellian'
Before entering politics, Haggie worked at James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander.
Two months before he was elected, the hospital was facing a shortage of operating room assistants. In response to that, the health authority asked doctors to volunteer their time.
Haggie wrote an email saying the request was a "Machiavellian way to resolve the issue."
The email — which was sent to the chief of staff and copied to other colleagues— also said the health authority had an "ostrich style of management."
This isn't the first time the health authority has had to deal with management issues.
An independent review of Central Health's Department of Diagnostic Imaging was completed last August after radiologists put forth some concerns.
The report included 18 recommendations, 13 of which Haggie said have already been implemented.
"Five of them are in the process of being implemented," Haggie said.
Kent said all of the report's recommendations need to be implemented.
"There are major patient safety concerns," he said.
Haggie said a conflict management specialist was recruited to go into Central Health.
He said there was also a conflict resolution course for physicians and staff.