Just don’t ask

A generation or two ago, when a doctor gave you a diagnosis, you accepted it.

Gradually the phrase, “I want to get a second opinion,” became part of the medical lexicon.

Lives have been saved because people asked questions.

Questioning is generally a good thing, unless of course, you’re questioning the actions of what used to be known as the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

In that case, prepare to have your motives, knowledge, right to ask and even your residency questioned.

The two Chatham boards voted to suspend the governance of the hospital because the Sydenham District Hospital board wouldn’t agree with them. They violated a legal agreement because they couldn’t get what they want or what the CEO wanted.

We wanted to ask the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network what they thought of that and a host of other questions, but after days of seeking even 15 minutes of interview time, we received a “we’re looking into things” kind of statement.

As we’re going to press, the LHIN has announced a public meeting. We’ll let you know on chathamvoice.com if they have anything more substantial than that.

The entire affair indicates a systemic arrogance in the health-care administration. CEO’s cannot be doubted, boards don’t have to be publicly elected and LHIN officials don’t have to answer questions.

The former alliance board members claim they speak for all of Chatham-Kent. It’s difficult to reconcile that with the fact they aren’t chosen by the public, and seem openly contemptuous of those who opposed them.

Any group chosen in secret by like-minded individuals can fall victim to “groupthink” a phenomenon where members suppress dissenting views, isolate themselves from outside influences and develop what some call an “illusion of invulnerability”

The former Alliance portrays the issue as one of “lay people” who are questioning a group of experts, when much of the discussion involves the opposite.

One aspect of what really needs to be discussed is how LHINs and hospitals across Ontario operate emergency departments in centres far smaller than Wallaceburg, admit patients more quickly and spend far less on administration.

Presumably, qualified individuals operate those institutions as well, yet they have a different viewpoint. Perhaps we could learn something.