Cleared of wrongdoing, cancer expert calls for inquiry

more injustice- Interesting that the system can take such a long time to right a wrong- an inquery is in order so that others do not have to endure the same qj


Last Updated: Friday, February 13, 2009 | 10:23 AM ET
CBC News
A Halifax doctor wrongfully accused of endangering patients is calling for a public inquiry into his 6½-year suspension from practising cancer medicine.

A review board recently cleared Dr. Michael Goodyear of all allegations of wrongdoing.

"The old saying in life is you can't fight city hall. But occasionally Erin Brockovichs come along, and they do," Goodyear told CBC News in his first interview since his vindication.

In 2002, Goodyear was treating cancer patients at the QEII Health Sciences Centre and was a researcher at Dalhousie medical school when a colleague complained about his choice of drugs and therapies.

Goodyear's supervisor filed an official complaint with the hospital, claiming Goodyear was endangering the safety of his patients. The hospital suspended his privileges pending an investigation.

That investigation process was supposed to take 40 days. Instead, it lasted 6½ years.

Goodyear was allowed to keep teaching at Dalhousie, but it was only a fraction of his former duties. His financial problems grew over the years. His house is under the control of a bankruptcy trustee and he sometimes wears hand-me-down clothes from former patients.