I get where he’s coming from but…

Work in Progress by Ivan Morgan

First off, no disrespect to Dr. Pat Parfrey, briefly head of Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS). From mutual friends I know him to be a fine doctor, and a good guy. Hell, he was influential in developing rugby in this province. I played rugby in my youth. He was the CEO of NLHS for just over a year, ‘til the new Tory government showed him the door and put their own guy in.

In a recent Rotary speech, Parfrey shared his thoughts on a new Health Accord he has had a hand in writing. He said nothing about the new Tory government giving him his walking papers.  He also mentioned how he would like to die. I wasn’t there for the speech, but it was reported in the media.

I have a lifelong aversion to medical stuff. Can’t read about it, don’t want to talk about it, put my hands over my ears yelling LA LA LA if the subject comes up. But I did read what he said. He spoke of the overmedicalization of death, of modern medicine keeping people alive when maybe it’s time to go. He said he does not see the appeal of spending his final days in a hospital room frail and confused. He spoke about how de-medicalizing death could save families money.

I understand what he was saying. I agree in principle with him. We are all going to die, he wants to die with dignity. Amen to that, brother.

Dying well? Yes. Saving money? Hang on a minute.

Parfrey spoke about Choosing Wisely Canada, a national medical think tank whose members call themselves the national voice for reducing unnecessary medical tests. That means saving money. Period. If you are interested, Google them. I did. As much as I cannot stand medical stuff, I read about them. They scared me (excuse the ironic phrase) half to death.

They make a point of saying they are not influenced by their financial supporters, which includes government.

Our province’s health bill this year is 42 per cent of our 2026 budget: $5.4 billion. They are partners with this outfit but nowhere on their website do they say how much government gives them. Red flag to me.

Maybe I come across as paranoid, but the minute I see government involved in cost saving measures for anything, I know who is going to suffer. It’s always the most vulnerable. I am not saying the folks trying to save money are evil. That’s ridiculous. But we have all seen how government neglects our most vulnerable – children in crisis, seniors, drug addicts, the homeless, you name it. Lots of money for salaries inside government but the people who need the help – really need the help – are often left out in the cold.  No need to take my word for it, look around.

That especially applies to health care. No one needs to be told our health care system is poorly run. We have all heard enough horror stories to know its many, many problems. We spend a fortune on it and yet people suffer. The money often doesn’t make it down to the patient. If we start de-medicalizing death, how long will it take before sick elderly folks are seen as an unnecessary budget expense? As a financial burden? The goal starts as concern for expenses, but the outcome makes people suffer. It’s already happening. 

Palfrey was only head for a short while, but I’m sure he knows how bad it is. Dying with dignity is what we all want. Getting kind, compassionate care during our last days is what we all deserve. Are there hundreds of angels in the system who deliver this? Yes. I have met many. But these caregivers, who are so good at looking over the people they serve, are in turn overseen by people charged with watching the money. This is how it starts, and it is a slippery slope.

The minute the system starts contemplating “cutting costs” and refusing tests, or deeming them “unnecessary,” I have to part ways with the good doctor. His intentions are admirable; I am more worried about the practical consequences.

There is an expression, “a society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable.”  There is no room in end-of-life medicine for belt tightening or cutting. People who have been paying into the system for decades deserve better. Often, they can’t speak up for themselves, they can’t resist, and they soon won’t be able to vote. They are some of society’s most vulnerable people. Again, no one means ill will, but some see the system differently, and it might be you who suffers for their decisions.

The road to your hell could very well stem from their good intentions.

Ivan Morgan can be reached at ivan.morgan@gmail.com