Baldy Hughes is firing back at its former medical director who spoke out about his concerns with the addiction centre's board of directors.
Last week O'Malley told the Citizen he resigned after 15 months in the position because he was upset with actions from the board. O'Malley's resignation came two days after former executive director Marshall Smith suddenly left his position on March 3.
In an e-mail, Baldy Hughes interim executive director Bruce Kirk questioned Dr. Michael O'Malley's version of events.
"I'm not sure if you are aware O'Malley has never given his resignation and the Spirit of the North Health Care [Foundation] funding that paid for his services has run out," Kirk wrote. "I have never met the gentleman, and I suspect that was in fact the reason why."
Kirk decline to comment further on the issue or the concerns raised by O'Malley about interference from the board of directors based in Vancouver.
Baldy Hughes Addiction Treatment Centre and Therapeutic Community, located outside of Prince George, provides long-term addictions treatment for men.
Spirit of the North Health Care Foundation executive director Don Gowan said the board approved 18 months of funding for O'Malley's position, but the foundation and the addictions treatment centre settled outstanding monies.
"I've got a reconciliation back from Baldy Hughes," Gowan said.
Gowan said the foundation would consider applications from Baldy Hughes to restore funding for the position.
"It's been such a good thing for the guys out there," he said.
O'Malley said his decision to end his contract early had nothing to do with money.
"I resigned because of the actions of the board, have no doubt about that," O'Malley said. "I would happily have continued to work out there, if the system had stayed."
O'Malley said his position was a challenging, but important part of the care provided to the residents of Baldy Hughes.
"First is the importance of providing services on site. [And] as a medical director, I have an understanding of the therapeutic community," O'Malley said. "Just by logistics alone, it's much easier if the doctor goes out there, rather than having 10-15 residents coming into town."
O'Malley said he stands by his position that the board of governors is out of touch with Baldy Hughes as a community.
"I do not believe if they were living in Prince George they would have made some of the decisions they did," he said. "The board of directors are uneducated in the matters of a therapeutic community."
A spokesman for B.C. Housing said concerns raised by O'Malley, former director Selen Alpay and others do not affect B.C. Housing's involvement with Baldy Hughes. B.C. Housing provides Baldy Hughes with $277,000 per year in funding.
"The B.C New Hope Recovery Society is responsible for the operation of Baldy Hughes," a spokesperson said in an e-mail. "The society is fulfilling the terms of the operating agreement, and the board and staff are providing appropriate programs and support to help people recover from their addictions to stabilize and improve their lives, and to regain their independence."
