Calgary orthotics practitioner claims patients at risk over paperwork issue

A Calgaryorthotics practitioner says the provincial government is putting his patients at risk, and himself out of business,over what he thinks is simply apaperwork glitch.

John Rahman, a certified orthotics therapist,has been working in the fieldin Calgary for nearly three decades and had a contractto provide services anddevices like legbraces through the provincial Aids to Daily Living program.

Rahmansays hebills Alberta Health roughly$250,000a year much less than it would cost the government for lengthy hospital stays that he says his services help prevent. About80 per cent of his income is derived through the Aids To Daily Living program.

He received one month's notice on Jan. 5that the contract had been cancelled. The letter from Alberta Health, supplied to CBC News,said the termination was "without cause or reason."

Withoutthat source of funding, he says it is unlikely he will be able to continue his practice.

"It broke my heart," said Rahman.

Patients rally around Rahman

Rahman often works with people with diabetes.

Diabetics can lose the feeling in their lower limbs and can injure themselves without knowing it. The wounds are very slow to heal and patients often require months of hospitalization if the injuries aren't prevented.

If the wound doesn't heal, it can lead to amputation.

"At five years post-amputation, somewhere near 50 per cent of diabetic patients will die," said Rahman.

KirkCrowther, one ofRahman'sdiabetic patients, says he might have died himself if not for Rahman's services.

"I would have probably lost my leg and possibly my life five years ago if it wasn't for John," said Crowther, one of a number of Rahman's patients who are very upset by Alberta Health's abrupt termination of the orthotics practitioner's services.

Crowther,the executive director of the Canadian Down Syndrome Society,says Rahmanalso works with members of the Down syndrome community who often have complex foot care needs.

"To lose his proficiencies would be a great injustice to people with these special needs."

Province says it can't comment on details

CarolynZiegler, the assistant director of media relations for Alberta Health, says she "can't get into the details about this particular contract."

Zieglersays in situations where a supplier's contract is terminated, they can reapply after six months to be put back on the supplier list.

Rahmansays like other orthotic practitionersin the province, he recently underwent an audit and there were no problems with his billing practices.

He believes his termination centres around the way the paperwork has been filedthat"simple errors" may have been made but he says none of those mistakes would justify terminating his contract.