Template for you to write a letter to Deb Matthew re: expert panel for follow up care. - facebook prikbord

Here's a template for a letter to Deb Matthew if you're in Ontario. The author has given permission to use it and make it your own.

(Name and Address)
...
(DATE)

Honourable Deb Matthews
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
10th Floor, Hepburn Block
80 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2C4

Dear Ms. Matthews,

We (I) are appalled at the announcement of 1 March 2011 that the Government of Ontario is establishing a non-expert panel to provide advice on best practices for MS sufferers who are treated outside Canada and who require follow-up treatment in Ontario.

Your non-expert panel is composed of individuals who have no experience in testing for or treating chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI). Dr. Barry Rubin was the token vascular specialist on the CIHR/MS Society secret meeting held in August 2010 and Paul O’Connor has been vitriolic in his opposition to CCSVI and his disdain for Dr. Paolo Zamboni’s work. The rest of the non-expert panel are neurologists who, again, have no experience or knowledge of testing or treating CCSVI and who, generally, totally oppose even the idea of CCSVI. Why did you not invite Dr. Sandy McDonald to provide his expertise. He tests MS sufferers for CCSVI and he has treated six people for CCSVI. Why did you not seek the expertise of other medical professionals who have extensive knowledge and experience with testing and treating CCSVI such as Dr. Gary Siskin and Dr. Salvatore Sclafani to name just two.

We (I) have no doubt that the MS Society of Canada is delighted with this non-expert panel since it is similar to the non-expert panel they brought together in their contemptible alliance with CIHR. The Government of Ontario and the Society can now point to this non-expert panel as an example of their care and concern for MS sufferers. This is just another stalling tactic happily entered into by the very people who are standing in the way of CCSVI testing and treatment in Canada. In fact, one can only hope that MS sufferers will not be subjected to any protocol that this non-expert group devises.

The establishment of this non-expert panel will not enhance your government’s standing with MS sufferers in Ontario. We have only a few months left before we can let you know clearly what we think of this latest debacle.

Sincerely,

cc: Christine Elliott, MPP, Conservative Health Critic, Room 445, Legislative Building, Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1A8 (christine.elliottco@pc.ola.org)