St. Clare’s internal medicine doctors give mass resignation notice, warn of ‘impending crisis’
Five doctors at St. John’s St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital have collectively handed in their resignation, citing concerns about the safety of patient care and the well-being of medical staff. The internal medicine department at the hospital, responsible for critical services for both emergency patients and those admitted to the hospital, will see the departure of Michael Jakovac, Olatunji Odumosu, Stephanie Genge, Sanampreet Gurm, and Evan Wee. Sources also reveal that Leonard Phair and Alex Dias had previously resigned.
In a letter addressed to the provincial health authority’s executive, lawyer Kyle Rees of O’Dea Earle outlined the doctors’ decision to only fulfill their contractual obligations and not work beyond their regular hours starting on July 1 until their resignation takes effect on October 1. The letter expressed the doctors’ belief that the current work environment compromises patient safety and the well-being of the medical team.
One of the primary concerns highlighted in the letter was the removal of resident support at the hospital, which led to a decrease in patient coverage. The doctors feel that Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) has not adequately addressed this issue, failing to provide a plan to mitigate the resulting crisis.
Meanwhile, internists at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s have expressed solidarity with their colleagues at St. Clare’s. In a joint letter, they cautioned against transferring the workload to their hospital in the event of a mass resignation at St. Clare’s, citing full capacity and lack of resources to absorb additional patients.
The letter also emphasized the critical role St. Clare’s plays in managing internal medicine patients and emergency room consults on a daily basis. Without adequate staffing and support, the hospital may struggle to respond effectively to Code Blue emergencies, posing a risk to patient outcomes.
Both internal medicine teams are urging NLHS to engage immediately and provide a written response outlining plans for ensuring safe and sustainable internal medicine coverage at St. Clare’s beyond July 1. The situation underscores the challenges faced by healthcare providers in Newfoundland and Labrador and the importance of addressing systemic issues to safeguard patient care.
For more updates on this developing story, download the free CBC News app and subscribe to push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Stay informed with our daily headlines newsletter and visit our landing page for the latest updates.
