Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
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After another report casting aspersions on the care offered at the Dr. Goodenowe Restorative Health Centre in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan’s minister of health said he’s directing a couple of investigations take place.
A recent CBC article told the story of Susie Silvestri, who died following a stay at the Moose Jaw centre. The article raised questions about the care Silvestri received at the centre for her ALS and the $84,000 her family claims she paid for it.
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Earlier this year, the ALS Society of Saskatchewan also raised concerns about the centre, claiming it was selling a cure that doesn’t exist for the degenerative disease.
As a result of the story this week, Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill confirmed the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority was looking into the clinic. He said the investigation was appropriate, given that dollars changed hands in Silvestri’s case and there were concerns the services being offered by the clinic may not have been accurately represented.
“To ensure that, like any business in the province, as you represent goods and services to customers, that representation is accurate,” said Cockrill.
The minister said he’d also sent a letter to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan to look at the situation; however, there is some confusion as to whether the college has any jurisdiction in the matter, given Goodenowe is not a medical doctor.
“My view would be that they have the authority to act under the Act, but we’ll go from there,” said Cockrill.
He said the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority and the college are places where government believes it makes the most sense to start in this situation.
“If the college comes back with findings or different positions, then we can take that forward through other bodies, but one step at a time,” explained Cockrill.
The Moose Jaw Police Service confirmed there is an active investigation following a letter sent by the Sask. NDP.
Jared Clarke, NDP rural and remote health critic, called for Cockrill to do more to deal with the Moose Jaw clinic, saying there is a role for government to regulate here.
“There is ‘health centre’ on the building, that’s what they’re claiming this is, health care. And yet the minister is saying that there’s nothing he can do,” said Clarke.
The MLA said it showed a lack of leadership.
“He is the Minister of Health in the Province of Saskatchewan; to suggest that he does not have authority to bring in a law or to regulate this facility is rubbish,” said Clarke.
From Dr. Goodenowe
A response from Dr. Dayan Goodenowe didn’t address the potential of these investigations. The statement defended him and his clinic from allegations in the CBC article, taking issue with much of what was reported.
“Any suggestion that (Silvestri’s) health deteriorated or that she died under our care or under the care of the local staff, in Moose Jaw, or as a result of decisions made by my centre or by Moose Jaw healthcare providers is incorrect,” read the statement.
Goodenowe and the clinic are involved in legal action against the CBC for its reporting, and the statement said he couldn’t comment on everything because of the court case. He also wrote that, as a result, he wouldn’t be commenting further.
