New Brunswick families struggling to learn more about a mysterious debilitating brain disease have had their last hope dashed.
Steve Ellis’s father, Roger Ellis, is one of 48 people initially identified as having a suspected mysterious neurological disease that has been linked to rapidly progressing dementia, muscle spasms and atrophy.
In late February, the province announced that an oversight committee, made up of six neurologists from the province, co-chairs of the two regional health authorities, and a medical officer of health, had concluded that no such disease exists.
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Ellis, who has been an outspoken advocate for those affected by the alleged disease, was outraged by the decision.
He filed an appeal with the New Brunswick College of Physicians and Surgeons in late March, telling Global News at the time that he believed the medical director of health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, had “violated the code of ethics of her profession”.
On Monday, he received a letter from the College saying that the complaints against the actions taken by Public Health were not in their jurisdiction and that they “consider this matter closed.”
“You didn’t give me any resources on what I can do, you don’t tell me who is in charge of Dr. Russell and (Health) Minister Shephard,” Steve Ellis told Global News on Monday.
“The letter makes me feel like they can do whatever they want without repercussions.”
The letter highlights a section of the New Brunswick Public Health Law that states: “No action or other proceeding for damages or otherwise shall be brought against a medical officer of health (…) for any act done in good faith in the performance of any duty or power. under this Law (…)”
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Global News contacted both the New Brunswick College of Physicians and Surgeons and the New Brunswick Department of Health on Monday. They were also unable to clarify which entity, if any, would be in charge of appealing a decision made by Public Health.
Ellis said he has already emailed the College asking them to reconsider.
“I am going to investigate possible other avenues,” he said.
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