Leaked SHA briefing note an example of a ‘culture of secrecy’: Meili

A leaked briefing note from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has NDP Leader Ryan Meili and his party concerned.

The note, dated Sept. 24, has the name of the submitter whited out. The contents of the memo include a statement which reads: “If you do not want to see it in the newspaper, then do not include it in the meeting minutes,” and a request for “SHA employees to follow the SHA corporate identity standards.”

BREAKING: NDP Leader @ryanmeili raised questions today about an Orwellian hush memo the Saskatchewan Health Authority sent to SK doctors in response to “a number of instances of challenging that have not met communication standards.”

Read more: https://t.co/2eEQv7T2Xp#skpoli pic.twitter.com/moLNIMEQ1j

— Saskatchewan New Democrats (@Sask_NDP) November 19, 2019

The note was submitted to the Area Practitioner Advisory Committee in Regina.

Meili said the note is another example of a “culture of secrecy” within the Sask. Party government.

“We should be having that information public, and the folks who are on the front lines should be the first ones who are able to raise a concern and make sure it’s addressed,” Meili said Tuesday.

The dating of the memo, Meili said, coincides with concerns that were raised around Regina emergency rooms.

“At that time, some concerns were raised about Regina Emergency Rooms, the overcrowding and hallway medicine that has been going on,” Meili said. “We know that has been happening for some time in Regina.”

Following Tuesday’s Question Period, Health Minister Jim Reiter said it was the first time he had seen the letter, and the note is not an attempt to “muzzle people.”

He said the memo was not directed by either himself or Premier Scott Moe.

“Certainly, the opposite’s true,” Reiter said. “I meet with doctors all the time. They advocate, I encourage that.”

Reiter said he would speak to the SHA’s CEO, Scott Livingstone, to clarify that the note wasn’t an attempt at muzzling.

The SHA made a statement about the leaked document. The statement reads:

“The intent of the memo was to ensure that any publicly accessible documents follow privacy legislation. The intent was also to remind physicians to be clear on whether or not they are speaking on behalf of the SHA or as an individual clinician on behalf of their patients.

“The SHA does not have a policy, nor was there ever any intent, to restrict staff or physicians from exercising their right to free speech.

“We recognize additional clarity is required. We will be working in the following days to ensure staff and physicians are clear on the intent of this memo.”

— With files from 980 CJME’s Lisa Schick