PCs say central Newfoundland's chief of family medicine lives in Ontario

According to Progressive Conservative health critic, one of central Newfoundland's medical leaders lives in Ontario and spends just four days a month practicing in Gander.

The issue was raised by PC MHA Barry Petten in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, who described the health care system as a mess.

"We know on the ground, it's a real, real mess, and people said it's a hornet's nest and they need to go out and fix it," Petten told reporters.

The PCs have focused much of their criticism on health care in the House of Assembly this week.

Petten told reporters what is tolerated in rural Newfoundland and Labrador wouldn't be tolerated in St. John's.

"Do you think [NLHS CEO] Dr. Parfrey would be living in Ontario and spending four days in St. John's. That's the question they need to ask. I think not," he said, adding that the province could be in a conflict of interest.

Petten says the emergency room in Lewisporte, a town in central Newfoundland, is closed every day because there are no doctors, but there is an after-hours clinic available that is primarily virtual.

He says two family physicians are available to work in the community, but face barriers preventing them from practicing that the province has yet to address.

Petten says the virtual care offered to patients in Lewisporte is provided by a clinic in Ontario that Dr. Ammar Al-Rubaye — the chief of family medicine for the health authority's central zone — may be involved in. 

He asked Health Minister Krista Lynn Howell to confirm the conflict. 

She directed Petten to Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services.

"Operational issues such as that would be better suited to be asked to NLHS," Howell said during question period.

According to the province's College of Physicians and Surgeons website, Al-Rubaye's practice is only located in Gander.

He does maintain privileges at Brant Community Healthcare Centre in Brantford, Ontario, but he has been registered for independent practice since 2022, according to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario's website.

In an email to CBC News, Health authority spokesperson Mikaela Etchegary said she can't confirm if Al-Rubaye lives outside the province but didn't deny that its a possibility as physician leaders have dedicated time throughout the week to support other physicians and programs within the zone.

"To protect the privacy and confidentiality of our physicians and employees, we do not share personal information such as physicians' living arrangements," she wrote.

"Delivering health services in rural areas often calls for creative and flexible approaches. NL Health Services uses a range of innovative strategies — including virtual care — to help ensure ongoing access to primary health care."

Meanwhile in the legislature, Howell says conflicts of interest can happen when options for care are limited.

"We don't want to have any types of conflict, but we certainly do recognize that there are times when we need to think outside the box and be creative in how we provide services in a time when health care is in such a difficult position," Howell said during question period. 

Petten wants to see the government investigate the potential conflict of interest and provide those living in rural parts of the province a better standard of care.

"Life is a lot different outside the overpass, and I think the government has failed to realize that," he said. "They need to look after rural healthcare."

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.