Departing doctor worries Fort McMurray hospital staffing may 'jeopardize' lives

A Fort McMurray pediatricianis resigning from the city's only hospital because he fears thelack of a full-time emergency room pediatricianwill "jeopardize lives."

"I'm not going to wait untilreal bad things happen," Dr.GhassanAl-Naamisaid Wednesday."I cannot tolerate the consequences of this morally."

The doctor who specializesin pediatric cardiology and care of children with special needsis one of fourpediatricians inFortMcMurray. He recently submitted his letter of resignation to theNorthern Lights Regional Health Centre.

His office, located near the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, accepts patients and admits them to the hospital.

Al-Naamiis alsoon call for emergencies oneweek a month.

During that week, whenever he gets a call, Al-Naamimust stop what he's doing and rush to the hospital.

Al-Naamisaid he has repeatedly told Alberta Health Servicesthe hospital needs a dedicated physicianfor urgent cases. He argues that heand the three other pediatricians on staff can't effectively respond to emergencies if they're on call but not on site.

In 2012, Alberta Health Services recruited Al-Naamifrom the United States in order, it said in a press release, to fill a gap in rural healthcare in the region.

Al-Naami, whohastrained and worked in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United States, will close hispediatric practicein February after four years in Fort McMurray and its surrounding communities.

'I am always concerned'

A five-minute delay could be deadly,Al-Naamisaid.

"I am always concerned when I am on call," he said, "Am I going to get to this patient who needs me immediately?"

"By the time I arrive there is some time lag and that might jeopardize lives."

Al-Naami said no young patient during his time at the hospital has died or been harmed because they had to wait for a pediatrician.

A team of doctors and nurses is always on site when urgent cases arrive, Al-Naami said. However, he's warned hospital administrators about the risk when a specialist is absent.

"I think in my humble opinion that the patient might be exposed to some kind of risk and I don't accept that."

AHS Response

Alberta Health Services said in an email statement its physician on-call system ensures patients get help in a timely and effective manner 24-hours a day.

"This on-call system has been in place at the hospital for decades, is entirely appropriate, meets all Canadian healthcare standards, and does not put patients at risk," a statement fromAHSspokesperson Kerry Williamson said.

The statement said AHS was only informed about Al-Naami's departure on Wednesday. It thanked Al-Naami for his service, wished him well and assuredresidents they will continue to receive high-quality pediatric care.

AHSalso saidtwo pediatric cardiologists regularly visit Fort McMurray towork with patients to make surehealthcare isn'tdisrupted.

AHS hopes to recruit another full-time pediatrician shortly.Butno patient at the hospital has died or been harmed as a result of the on-call system, according to the statement.Al-Naamialso confirmed no patient had an adverse outcome while he was there.

AHS and Al-Naaminoted there's also a team of doctors, nurses, specialists and staff always on site when urgent cases arrive.However, Al-Naamisaid he has warned hospital administrators about the potential dangerswhen a young person arrives and a pediatricianis absent.

Worried parent

Kirsti Mardell'sson, who was diagnosed with ADHD and suffers from ticks, is one ofAl-Naami's5,000 clients.

The mother worries what having one less pediatrician in a region that only has four will do to many families that rely on them.

"I sawa notice he's leaving Feb. 20and I went into a panic mode," Mardell said.

Al-Naami said he will likely relocate to Edmonton or Vancouver and might visit Fort McMurray to provide fly-in services.

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