Surgeon-turned-politician John Haggie 'taking stock' of health portfolio
Novice at the cabinet table, the medical doctor wants to 'get the big picture'
The medical doctor who is taking over the health portfolio in Dwight Ball's new cabinet says he will need to take stock of all issues facing the department before commenting on the challenges of the job.
John Haggie, a surgeon who was also president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, is now in charge of the single biggest expenditure of government.
"I come at it from a particular perspective but that's not necessarily a totally rounded perspective in health care," said the newly sworn in cabinet minister Monday.
"I think the first thing to do is to actually take stock. The last thing anybody needs is someone running off madly in all directions. And it's day one."
Haggie, the MHA for Gander, said he will meet Tuesday with the deputy minister of health and expects to be in briefings for much of the week.
"It could be quite a lengthy process, given some of the comments I've heard."
The 2015 provincial budget, brought down in April, included $3 billion in health spending
"It is a significant cost, but it's also a significant benefit for society in general," said Haggie, who said he's interested in getting "the big picture" before commenting on specific issues.