Yvonne Jones, MHA for the District of Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair, says today's announcement that poor database management has further compromised the ER/PR testing for breast cancer patients is of great concern. Jones is challenging the minister to immediately conduct a database audit across all four health boards to ensure any problems are identified and corrected before any further testing is compromised. 

"I was shocked to learn that database management in our health care system was in such disarray," said Ms. Jones. "I must question how these problems are going unnoticed by a health care board, department and minister who are supposed to be monitoring these issues on a daily basis. Today's revelation once again weakens people's confidence in our entire health care system, especially when something as vital as health care data and information is in such poor condition. 

"There are obvious problems that have been identified and must be addressed immediately. The minister has neither identified whether any recent database audits have taken place, nor what action will now occur to identify and fix any deficiencies in the system. The minister has also only identified database issues at Eastern Health. What does this mean for other health boards in the province and what is being done to evaluate those management systems? Something needs to be done to address this issue, and it must be done now. 

"Our health care system was facing enough turmoil when problems were identified with questionable radiology readings and ER/PR testing. There is now a broader crisis developing as people are left with shaken confidence as to whether they can rely on complete and documented information related to their health. It also shakes their confidence in a minister who doesn't seem to be on top of the issues in his department in a responsible and timely manner."

Media Contact: 
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
Tel: (709) 729-6151 or (709) 687-0477