Due diligence

Guest editorial -

The highly-anticipated report of Justice Margaret Cameron was not so much a tome of surprises as it was a reminder of the importance of due diligence.

Due diligence was lacking throughout the system in the case of the botched hormone receptor tests, the care of and communication with breast cancer patients.

Because of the lack of due diligence, people and their families suffered. One hundred women died when their cancer spread. They might be still living, possibly cured of cancer, if there had been no errors in their test results and they had been given the right drug, if they had been informed, promptly, of the errors.

This was an event of critical proportions, with the result being a collective loss of faith in the health care system.

The Cameron inquiry dealt mainly with the mistakes in the laboratory with respect to tissue samples. Lack of communication with patients and the public was a secondary issue, but no less significant in that it showed a complete lack of respect by Eastern Health officials for the public's right to know.

Changes are happening, and have happened, as a result of this inquiry.

Cameron made a lot of recommendations, many of them significant.

But the one that leaps off the page is her final advice, that the Minister of Health and Community Services should, by March 31, 2010, report back to the House of Assembly on the progress being made regarding the implementation of the recommendations.

We expect no less than a regular, and prompt, accounting of progress.

Meanwhile, when it comes to due diligence, the Cameron inquiry proved, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that patients have to be their own advocates.

Individuals have to question, ask for second opinions and complain openly and publicly if they feel they have not been treated properly within the system.

Within the hospital system, patient complaints are supposed to be documented. It's part of the quality control process in each facility.

If you have a complaint about anything - from the quality of food you were served in your hospital bed, to the lack of parking spaces, to doubts about the medical treatment and care you received - ask to see a manager and ask that manager to document your complaint.

While you don't actually get to fill out the complaint form yourself, the health care facility is obligated to report back to you to let you know whether the issue you raised has been resolved.

Beyond that, you have the right to write a formal letter of complaint to the board of directors and/or the managers of the facility.

You also have the right to seek legal counsel if you feel you have suffered personal harm or injury due to your treatment by the health care system.

The bottom line is, it is your health; you have a right to ask questions at every step of the way to help you understand diagnosis and treatment, and to ensure you are getting the best care possible.

Eastern Health, as do all other health care regions in the province, has a patient relations officer. Their name and phone number should occupy a place in your phone book, right alongside the emergency numbers. Write it down, post it on your fridge, add it to your speed dial.

Use it whenever you feel you have been ill treated by the system that's supposed to be serving your best interests.

By using your own due diligence, the health care system on which you, and others, depend will take great pains to ensure they also exercise their own due diligence.

Barbara Dean-Simmonds, Clarenville Packet