The Premier’s Office is responding to the recent revelation that a Clarenville physician has been hired as an advisor to the Premiers Office and is being paid more than $275,000 through MCP.
The information was revealed in a recent Access to Information request which was acquired by VOCM News.
The 8th Floor says Dr. Des Whalen was engaged as a Special Advisor because of his “extensive clinical background in emergency and family medicine, as well as his leadership experience.”
The Premier’s Office says his compensation is “consistent with the physician compensation framework” negotiated between the provincial government and the NLMA. It says “like other physicians who take on administrative or advisory roles, his remuneration reflects established rates under that agreement, and is not based on a political staff salary grid.”
Dr. Whalen is continuing to provide clinical services, and “any clinical work billed to MCP will be billed in accordance with standard physician billing practices.”
Premier Tony Wakeham’s office says Dr. Whalen does not direct the minister of health, the deputy minister, or NL Health Services, and serves as “one advisor among many, contributing professional expertise as government works to improve services, strengthen public safety and address affordability challenges.”
