Angry medical examiners withdraw services in Manitoba

Manitoba's medical examiners (MEs), angry at the provincial Department of Justice because repeated requests for a fee increase have been ignored, withdrew their services in late December.

“A dispute with the government over fee increases would be preferable to being ignored,” said Dr. Rajen Ramgoolam, one of 25 medical examiners in Winnipeg. “A disagreement between the 2 parties would at least mean negotiations were under way.”

Manitoba's MEs have received no significant fee increase in 20 years. Rates paid to the province's 55 MEs start at $49 per body if the death occurred in a hospital, nursing home or other medical facility. If the death occurred at any other location, the fee is $75, plus increments if an autopsy is ordered or if an external examination is required at the scene of death. Medical examiners are called in when someone dies suddenly, unexpectedly or violently.

Dr. David Cram, a Souris family physician and rural ME, said he and his colleagues are resolved to withhold services until sweeping changes are made to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). The changes would have to be made by the province.

Cram, who offered his services as an ME 6 months ago, claims that the office is disorganized. “There is no training manual for medical examiners. When I phone to ask for help, they can't even tell me the correct forms to fill out.”

Manitoba's chief medical officer, Dr. Thambirajah Balachandra, said that for the time being the RCMP will act as the OCME's “eyes and ears” in rural Manitoba, while investigators employed by the justice department will act as MEs in Winnipeg. —