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Dr. Kitts biased
Letters
Sep 05, 2008
Following is a copy of a letter which I have sent to Juanita Gledhill, chair of Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN:

I attended the public meeting of our LHIN on Aug. 26. During a brief presentation by Dr. Kitts re the Niagara Health System, and on your website, I noted that the first term of reference of your appointed expert advisor is, "To review the Hospital Improvement Plan (HIP) for feasibility in creating a hospital system that is both sustainable and effective in improving the quality of healthcare for the residents of Niagara."

This morning I learned that Dr. Kitts held a press conference. He is quoted as saying:

  • " 'It can work' like a similar strategy did in Ottawa."

  • "I like the over-arching assumptions, the principles ... the goals ... I like the framework."

  • "If this plan delivers on that framework, then of course, we would want to endorse it."

  • "We expect that due diligence has been done."

    Apart from the facts that no plan can be shown to deliver until it has been put into practice, and he should not assume that due diligence has been done, these statements indicate a clear bias. This is not a review of feasibility; Dr. Kitts has already decided that "It can work."

    Dr. Kitts may be an expert physician. He may be an expert CAO of a hospital system. However, as an investigative advisor, he has broken the first commandment of consultants: Do not predetermine your case. This can only lead to further charges of which I have already heard, "The fix is in."

    The citizens of Niagara now have every reason to doubt the neutrality of expertise that the LHIN has promised. If we cannot trust this expert before he starts, why should we believe anything that he produces in the future?

    Dr. Kitts has no reasonable option but to resign his appointment and, if he does not, the LHIN should replace him with someone who does not start from a compromising position.

    Dr. Garnet McDiarmid

    Port Colborne

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