'It's gonna take someone's life': Springdale patients rally to support Dr. Todd Young

People in Springdale and neighbouring towns ralliedWednesday to pressure Central Health to grant hospital privileges to a local doctor who's back in practice, after serving a suspension.

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They say their health is being affected because Dr. Todd Young is not allowed to admit them, or do procedures that involve hospital facilities.

Linda Rowsell was one of dozenswho gathered Wednesday morning outside Young's clinic. She fears the inaction by Central Health is a costlygamble.

"It's ridiculous what they're doing to us," she said. "Because it's gonna take someone's life."

Politicians including the mayor of Triton,the deputy mayor of Springdale, and the Liberal MHA for the region, Brian Warrvoiced support for Young.

"I guess our issue right now is with Central Health and we want to make sure the CEO Rosemarie Goodyear will give us the time to show her our support of Dr. Young," said Warr.

Young, who served a 19-month suspension for having a sexual relationship with one patient, and inappropriate contact hugging and kissing with another, reopened his clinic earlier this yearand applied for hospital privileges.

Nothing personal

Central Health issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying it made a decision on Young's application and notified him on March 14.

"The process ishandled in a wholly professional manner and personal feelings do not influence such decisions," wrote the health authority.

The statement said Young has not asked to discuss the decision, and stressed that "physicians do not require hospital privileges to work in a community practice."

Young said he wants to admit patients to the Green Bay Health Centre, for emergencies or palliative care.

"Because of the mistake that I have made, they [Central Health] feel that I still need to be punished," he said.

"The letter [from the health authority]actually suggests that there is concern that I would be a hostile person."

Want the right to choose

"I'm a cancer patient, and right now if I need to be admitted here in Springdale, Dr. Young can't treat me," said Springdale residentKim Batstone.

"They're taking my right to be treated bymy doctor away from me, and giving me a doctor of their choosing, not mine."

Others are speaking out too.Dana Pynn hadsurgery several weeks ago andsaid she has to travel 106 kilometresfrom her home for follow-up treatment.

"I'm leaving here, Dr. Young's office,and going to Grand Falls to be admitted, 3 o'clock, under another doctor, something that Dr. Young would have taken care of here inSpringdale," said Pynn.

"I've known Dr. Young all my life. He was my family doctor previous to this, and I want him to continue for the rest of my life."

She's not happy withCentral Health.

"I think they failed us,majorly. I think this is a personal issue," saidPynn.

EricSharpe, who's from Harry's Harbour,has been a longtime patient ofthe man he calls "Dr. Todd."

"He had the little mistake and went away. We were so glad to have him back but now it's turned into a big fiasco with Central Health,"saidSharpe.

"And we just don't understand. Why the big problem?"

Sharpecalled Young "an excellent doctor We trusted him fully."

He said people like the fact that Young is from the area.

"It's really big, because most of the doctors we get inSpringdaleare only here for the short time."

Young said at the end of the day, he can make a living without hospital privileges, "but it falls short of what it means to practicemedicine in a rural community like Springdale."