Doctors Settle Lawsuit With Keewatin Yatthe

Doctors Settle Lawsuit With Keewatin Yatthe

Friday, September 28, 2007 at 13:31

 

 

A spokesman for the Keewatin Yatthe Regional Health Authority says he’s glad a legal action against the health region has finally been settled.

 

Two doctors in La Loche had previously sued the health region for wrongful dismissal, and included Saskatchewan Health in their statement of claim.

 

Andrew Judd, Teja Rossmeisl and two other doctors working in La Loche had their contracts terminated by the health region in 2004.

 

Judd and Rossmeisl eventually entered into mediation with the province and the health region, and recently received a $580,000 out-of-court settlement.

 

KYRHA spokesman Richard Petit maintains the health region acted in good faith, and that the dispute was tied to a misinterpretation of the doctors’ contract.

 

Petit adds his organization has gained some valuable experience through this experience.

 

He says it created an awareness of the importance of creating “cultural bridges” between health professionals and the residents of the region.

 

Petit says the health region has since established a “good orientation process” for doctors that come from outside the region.

 

He adds the health centre at La Loche is currently fully staffed with four doctors, some of whom have been there for awhile.