Breast cancer is a  terrible disease.  There's no denying that.  It does not discriminate, it does not play favourites, but it does impact lives, and listening to the commentary and testimony from the Cameron Inquiry into the breast cancer scandal, I constantly wonder if there will be justice served for those who had to suffer through this terrible time in Newfoundland and Labrador health care.
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Having been told that you have breast cancer is shock enough, but having to be told that you were not treated correctly because of a misdiagnosis is another thing.  Then to listen to the attempt to cover up this scandal, and to mitigate the "risk" to Eastern Health, one can do nothing but sit in shock.

Listening to Heather Predham's testimony makes me totally sick.  Her forced tears and her sobbing is nothing more than theatrics.  She should be ashamed of herself.  How can she even insist that she was following "protocol" and that one should never admit blame.

Is there any way that charges can be laid against individuals such as this?  Public endangerment or something has to apply!

One can only wish that as Premier Danny Williams takes the stand and testifies, that he sheds some light on this entire situation.  Premier Williams had better send a clear message that this was and is unacceptable.  Heads should definitely roll, starting right at the top, including the now Minister of Health, Ross Wiseman.

The Cameron Inquiry resumed today after a month-long summer break.  With the looming resignation of cancer doctors coming quickly, I sure hope that there will  be some questions asked regarding the government's approach to the Breast Cancer Scandal that has led to this inquiry.

Watch for more updates coming shortly.

While the Cameron Inquiry has taken a break from hearings, most of the media and people in Newfoundland and Labrador are anxiously waiting for Premier Danny Williams to sit in the witness chair and give his account of what transpired.  Sure, we have all heard that the premier has denied that he had any direct knowledge of the breast cancer test scandal, and listened as two Ministers of Health here revealed how reports and briefing notes went unread, but what was the Premier's true involvement.

Personally, I do wonder if Premier Danny Williams is telling the truth about having knowledge of what was going on.  However, I am left believing that he was somehow given the wrong information or told that this was not a big an issue as it has become.  People in his position have to juggle many aspects of running a government, that's why he relies on his ministers.

In this case he was let down by the Newfoundland Minister of Health Ross Wiseman, who is in my opinion, one of the biggest jokes that exists in the Williams' government.  He has continually shown his total incompetence to deal with any issue under the health portfolio.

Until the time comes for Premier Danny Williams to take the stand, I will sit by and wait patiently.

The line has been drawn in the sand.  Three Newfoundland and Labrador gynecological oncologists have set the date to resign, challenging the Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Health, Ross Wiseman, MHA for Trinity North to do something for a health care sytem in crisis.  Unfortunately, the Minister of Health does not seem to be taking this too seriously.  He made a statement indicating that Newfoundland and Labrador would send cancer patients out of the province if required.

I don't profess to be an expert in Government financing, but to me, would it not cost more to send these patients out of province and pay for their stay, and their health care in another province that it would to fix the current problems here in Newfoundland and Labrador?  Have the oil riches really swollen the heads of the provincial politicians that much?

Health Minister Ross Wiseman should realize that sending people out of the province will do nothing to cure the problem.  It will however, cause hardships for the families of the cancer patients.  Those suffering from cancer will lose their support lines, family, and friends who could be there to help out.  Families will be burdened financially if a family member has to travel as well, and there is always the constant worry if things are going "OK" out of province.

One must wonder what is up with Premier Danny Williams?  This is two ministers in his government that appear to have truly lost it.  First the Minister of Education who I have dubbed Jettison Joan, who is throwing potential candidates for the position of MUN president out of her office faster than a moose trying to cross the TCH.  And now it's the Minister of Health, Ross "Not Such A" Wiseman.

I will be glad when the House of Assembly sits again and Danny boy is back from vacation.  He can crack his whip and bite a few ankles in his bulldog fashion and put things in order once again!

It was a very sad morning listening to the CBC Radio News and hearing that there had been three gynecologic oncologists resigning from the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Care System.  Over 1200 patients in the province requiring the services of these doctors could be forced to go out of province for their cancer treatment.

The three doctors resigned over concerns related to workloads, patient safety and workplace respect issues.

Apparently there had been a report that was given to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador indicating these concerns and that this report had been around for quite some time.  What was Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Health Ross Wiseman's response?  He hadn't seen the report.  Is that a surprise to anyone?

To insult these oncologists even more, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador were left out of a massive pay raise that were given to medical and radiation oncologists, as well as pathologists. What was Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Health Ross Wiseman's response?  There would be no pay raise for these doctors until the doctor pay scales were re-negotiated in 2009.  Huh?

OK, this is something that you have to look at and wonder what is going on in this government and in the Department of Health.  Did the Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Health, Ross Wiseman, MHA Trinity North, wake up today, fall down and hit his head?  He just gave othe doctors a pay raise to keep them in the province.  Now he won't give other doctors the same to keep them in the province?

What drugs are using Mr. Wiseman?  I suggest that you jump on a plane, leave Newfoundland and Labrador, visit another doctor in another province and get a new prescription!  Wait, all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will have to soon do this at the current rate of resignations!

And where is Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams when all this is going on?  He had better come back soon because now he has two major controversies brewing and the people that he has left in charge are certainly digging a deep hole for this government.  We have the Minister of Education Joan Burke flapping her gums and interfering in the appointment of a new president for Memorial University of Newfoundland and now we have the Minister of Health Ross Wiseman being a hypocrit over which doctors should get pay raises!

Danny my son, come back to the province!  While I am no fan of yours, when you leave for a few days, things fall apart even worst!  At least you can keep some control over the children of your cabinet!

In listening to the many things that are being said in the proceedings of The Cameron Inquiry into the breast cancer scandal in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is evident that there is a major disconnect with what is supposed to be done at hospitals and health care facilities, what the government has established as levels of service and what is actually taking place.

This leads me to ask the question if there are any true regulations, standards or a quality of service in the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Care System?

If the legislation, policy and procedures were carefully examined, one might answer "yes" to this question.  However, if we were to look at the actual practices of what is taking place it is not as cut and dry.  The type of service varies from location to location, with patients subjected to many different levels of service, wait times, and availability of physicians.

For example, I spoke to one individual who had to drive his son to central Newfoundland and Labrador to have surgery because doctors in the Corner Brook area refused to have anything to do with the procedure that this child had to undergo.  Granted, this procedure was not life threatening but it was affecting this child's quality of life and the inconvenience caused to the family was definitely unnecessary.

While The Cameron Inquiry is dealing with the issues of the breast cancer test scandal, there has to be a systematic review of the entire health care system.  There has to be something done to curb the outflow of physicians and to reestablish some quality of service.  The residents of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve much better than what they are receiving right now.

Dr. Donald Cook told the Cameron Inquiry today that he had noticed errors in the hormone receptor tests dating back to 2005.  He then goes on to say that he had noticed the difference in test results when comparing the systems used to perform the tests.  I find this particularly interesting given that the equipment was ruled out as a cause of the poor quality of samples, and I find it more alarming that the rate of which the breast cancer tests showed different results did not ring alarm bells for those in charge.

Is this systemic of the problems that the Newfoundland and Labrador health care system was experiencing during the time, or is it deep rooted in the quality of doctors being hired by this province?  While I am not a medical doctor, pathologist, specialist, or any way associated with the medical profession, I have been a patient, and I have experienced what I would deem is poor care in our hospitals.

It is apparent that the Newfoundland and Labrador medical system was and probably still is under funded.  I have seen many "third world" doctors and doctors from outside of our country take up residence here in this province and provide what amounts to poor care.  I have experienced it first hand, watch as other patients have experienced it first hand and yet when complaints are made, they get brushed under the rug and ignored.

Sound familiar?

From listening to much of the testimony given at the Cameron Inquiry, I'm beginning to wonder if the "cover up" was taking place to hide the fact that many well paid officials did nothing, or done to hide the fact that our health care system is staffed, and managed in many instances by under skilled doctors trained in foreign universities that do not measure up to the standards established for Canadian universities.  Collect a pay cheque and be damned if anyone should become sick and need real care.

The sense of urgency should have been much higher.  The politicians, doctors, administrators and anyone else remotely involved with this scandal should be held accountable.  It is criminal that this was allowed to occur and those families who are now suffering, wondering, and doubting both the diagnosis and treatments received for their breast cancer or their loved ones' breast cancer have to be compensated.

It is the right thing to do.

It seems that the "all knowing" and "almighty" Newfoundland and Labrador Premier, Danny Williams, is once again stepping into the media and criticizing how the Cameron Inquiry is progressing, the lawyers line of questioning and the costs associated with the legal fees.  I think that it is time that Newfoundland and Labrador Premier, Danny Williams, learn a few lessons in what it means to have an "independent" inquiry into an issue.

Premier Williams, the Cameron Inquiry is an INDEPENDENT judicial inquiry.  This means that you, as a politician, and in this case leader of the government, the person who initiated the inquiry should do one thing and one thing only: KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.  Well, that is until you have an opportunity to sit and be questioned about your knowledge into this mess that has been created.

I am of the opinion tha the 1,000 plus people who were involved in the faulty hormone receptor testing deserve so much more than how they are being treated by your comments.  The cover-up that Eastern Health attempted to do, and all the crap that your Government has attempted in their effort to silence the commision lawyers has to stop.  This is not about how much it costs, this is not about you having the spotlight, this is about doing what is right, correcting the problem, ensuring that it doesn't happen again, and then compensating the patients and familes.  That is it.

Premier Danny Williams, your attempts at silencing the Camerong Inquiry and the lawyers is disgusting.  You have shown a contempt for the process and the people of this province by publicly criticizing what is happening.  Are you afraid that your involvement will be revealed?  Are you afraid that people will learn the truth?  Wait, I know the answer that you can give "I can't recall."  It seems to be your government's favourite response to questions by the Cameron Inquiry lawyers.

To Justice Cameron, and the lawyers hired, you are doing a great job.  You are doing right by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Ignore Premier Danny Williams and his so-called "Ministers" ... we all know that he calls all the shots in his government.  You are doing what the people of Newfoundland and Labrador want you to do, hold those people involved with this accountable.

When you get Premier Danny Williams on the stand, hold no punches!  He deserves exactly what I am sure you will give.

It was interesting to hear that the Newfoundland and Labrador Government has a ranking system where they place a numeric value on the importance of what is going on in this province.  Apparently, the most important criteria that determines the importance of what the Newfoundland and Labrador Government led by Premier Danny Williams discusses is based on the amount of media coverage and whether a minister will get asked a question during the setting of the House of Assembly.

The incident over the faulty hormone receptor testing and the fact that over 1,000 patients were given the wrong test results didn't even make the top 10.  That makes me wonder what were the important issues that were in the top 10 during this  time.

Here is The Cameron Inquiry: An Unofficial Blog's Top Ten Events that Disgust the People of Newfoundland and Labrador.

10) Premier Danny Williams' leadership style, it is either Danny's way or the highway .... speaking of highways, where's Rideout now?

9) Inability of the Newfoundland and Labrador to rejuvinate the rural economies of the province.

8) Low minimum wage compared to the rest of the country.

7) High cost of living for those throughout the province, especially for those on fixed incomes.

6) Unwillingness to negotiate with the pensioners and give them a cost of living increase.

5) Hyprocracy around appointments of such individuals as Andy Wells to the PUB.  Didn't Danny Williams dislike this guy at one point?

4) Poor road conditions throughout the province.

3) Inability of the Government to do anything with the airlines & Marine Atlantic, our only means of getting on and off the Island.

2) High cost of gasoline, especially when we have one of the largest oil discoveries off our shores;

1) Our Health Care System and how it has handled such incidents as the faulty hormone receptor testing and the impact that this has had on breast cancer patients.

I hope that Government of Newfoundland and Labrador can do something to address these top ten issues here in this province.

Did Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams know about the faulty hormone receptor tests and the impact that it was having on breast cancer patients?  If you were to listen to Brian Crawley, you would think that this matter was of "little significance" to the Premier's office given the level of recollection that Mr. Crawley has abotu the issue.  His inability to "recall" details is alarming.

Yet when asked if he believed that the minister responsible for the department hadn't read or received a briefing note on the issue, Mr. Crawley stated "I find it very hard to believe."

Well, isn't this a can of worms for the Premier's office?

Let's just look at the statement "I find it very hard to believe.".  Does Mr. Crawley and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams expect the public to take his word for it that he did not have knowledge of the faulty hormone test results before the date he had indicated?

All in unison: "I find it very hard to believe."

"I find it very hard to believe" that the Premier had knowledge of the event.  It is obvious that his office was notified well in advance of this going public.  "I find it very hard to believe" that senior officials in the Premier's office would not have briefed the Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams on the events, considering it involved nearly 1,500 citizens of this province, and that this could have major implications for litigation.

"I find it very hard to believe" anything that has come from the Danny Williams government when it comes to the faulty hormone receptor test and the breast cancer scandal.

"I find it very hard to believe" that there was not an attempt to cover up what was going on.  There was obviously a lot of correspondence about the issue, many officials were involved, and attempt to remedy the problem.  It was swept under the rug in hopes that it would go away.  It was only for the great journalism of the CBC that the full extent of this situation was brought into the public light.

"I find it very hard to believe" that Justice Cameron will allow individuals to continue with their "I do not recall" attitudes.  It is very obvious that she is getting frustrated with many of the tactics being employed by the witnesses.  I'm not sure of her powers, but if she can, maybe a few Contempt Charges may jog many of their memories!

Come now, what are to believe Premier Williams?  Why not just do the right thing, fire the whole crew who made a mess of this situation.  You will survive politically because you have brought Newfoundland and Labrador the almight "oil".  Do the right thing, take responsibility.

Until next time!