Ontario's Ehealth Chairman Alan Hudson Retires
Follows CEO Kramer’s Resignation, Spending Scandal
Aug 16, 2009
Kramer’s resignation follows revelations about a spending scandal. The scandal dealt with allegations that consultants billed for expenses after having done little or no work, as well as contracts that were given to alleged Liberal-friendly agencies.
Hudson Retires after 5 years as Wait Times Expert
Dr. Alan Hudson filled the position of wait-times expert with Ehealth, meaning his job was to ensure quick wait times for patients. He’s 71-years-old, and said to have been contemplating retirement for the last year or so, informing the health minister of his final decision on August 7th, 2009.
Friends say the recent controversy over Ehealth hit him hard. CEO, and President of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Dr. Kevin Smith said in comments published by the Globe and Mail that Hudson was unaccustomed to having things go wrong in his career: “I think that it is very hard on him. I think unquestionably this is not a person who throughout his career who saw many things go badly.
Alan Hudson wielded influence on the McGuinty government’s health care policy. His retirement is seen as a possible blow to the government’s ability to implement its policy. He will not be receiving any severance pay because he left at the completion of his contract.
Sarah Kramer Speaks Publicly About Her Resignation
Ehealth’s former CEO Sarah Kramer has begun speaking out on her resignation. The controversy involving consultants billing practices, and untendered contracts caused Kramer to resign in June. In comments published by Canadian Press she shot back about her resignation, defending the agency’s recruitment practices: “I with the full support of my directors believed that was an essential investment in turning around what was a badly drifting organization.” Her statement continued saying the consultants’ aid was vital in order to change the organization. Kramer was appointed through an order-in-council, meaning her appointment came directly from the Lieutenant Governor.
Adding to the controversy are accusations that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty hired Kramer against contrary advice. McGuinty denies it, but admits hiring her may have been a mistake. Wading in August 14th, was Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In comments published by the Canadian Press he mentioned his government made funds available to the province for the formation of the Health Infoway- making records electronic: “The federal government had in its budget considerable funds available for the Health Infoway- the expansion and pushing forward of the project to make the health records in this country electronic. So obviously I would encourage the provincial government to get on rectifying the problems in that area.” The apparent jab was in response to McGuinty’s comments on Suuad Haji Mohammud, a Toronto woman trapped in Kenya.
The provincial government renamed Smart Systems for Health, Ehealth Ontario in September 2008. Its purpose is to create electronic health records for the province.
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