Alberta Health Services Monday launched a province-wide strategy meant to reduce pressure in emergency rooms.
But critics are skeptical, saying the overcapacity protocols will simply shuffle resources.
David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, said he’s relieved to see something being done but said more work will follow.
“It will show us where the shortages in capacity are but it won’t give us more capacity,” said Eggen.
“You can only shift things around so much; we’ll be watching closely.”
Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann said while the measures are “thoughtful and reasonable,” the problems with the health-care system aren’t centred in the emergency departments and so he’s not convinced the new strategies will make a difference.
“This is rearranging the deck chairs,” he said.
The new strategies are intended to free up emergency care spaces by treating patients in the most appropriate spaces for their conditions.
That means some patients may be asked to share a room, move rooms, receive care in the community or be admitted but given a stretcher or chair.
“We expect the protocols will address the concerns of Albertans by increasing access for patients and providing safe, timelier care,” said Dr. Cheri Nijssen-Jordan, ER doctor and AHS senior medical lead.
The protocols could be activated by a number of triggers, including if the percentage of emergency department care spaces blocked due to patients waiting for admission, diagnostics or consultations exceeds 35%.
As well, they could come into effect if emergency department occupancy exceeds 110%.
jenna.mcmurray@sunmedia.ca
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Medicine Hat News
The argument is both lengthy and tangled but the bottom line is this: Alberta's Friends of Medicare say the provincial government is secretly planning to privatize your health care and the province completely denies it.
David Eggen, executive director for Friends of Medicare, was in Medicine Hat Wednesday evening to meet with the public regarding what has been a very eventful couple of months for the health care system.
On top of a pile that already includes the firing of Alberta Health Services' CEO and the speedy passing in the legislature of Bill 17, the Alberta Health Care Act, a leaked government document has recently surfaced suggesting in print that the act is a simple stepping stone toward a private system.
"We're getting these leaks now that reveal secret plans to phase in more private health care into the province of Alberta," Eggen said. "We've been asking the question for months, what exactly is the agenda behind Bill 17? We guessed back then and I think we guessed quite accurately.
"I didn't realize the scope of the audacity that (the government) would have to move forward on some of these things, but I think it's pretty clear that this leaked document is really the second phase of the Alberta Health Act and let me tell you, it doesn't look too pretty at all."
Essentially, Eggen says the plan would be to start with insurance companies, allowing private providers to move in and bid amongst each other for your money. He says by allowing a parallel system of providers, costs for Albertans would skyrocket over time, as insurance companies would have an extreme amount of power.
"Privatization does not expand health care, it just shifts the power of where the money is," he said. "All the decision making would shift from doctors and health-care professionals to the insurance companies."
The issues go well past the thought of private insurance, Eggen stated.
Jan Bunney, chair for the FOM Palliser region, notes how the act doesn't include a patient charter, a section required by law. Instead, in it's place is a line stating the minister will put one together.
"There's an empty space there," Bunney says. "It's like me saying, you see that empty lot there? You can have a multi-million dollar casino there. Of course, it's not actually there."
Bunney says other local issues are on the forefront as well, such as the decision to contract out food services, which takes business out of Medicine Hat and puts it in Calgary, she argues.
With all the available food resources, Bunney wonders why more can't be done at the local level.
She also says several various expansions to local health care facilities, which have been promised by the government are also of concern, as people are wondering how much they can truly count on from the Progressive Conservative government.
One solution Bunney says could help these situations is to have designated spokespersons for each region that regular come to speak with the public.
"The public needs answers and they need someone locally who knows what's going on locally and we haven't gotten that."
David Eggen, executive director for Friends of Medicare, was in Medicine Hat Wednesday evening to meet with the public regarding what has been a very eventful couple of months for the health care system.
On top of a pile that already includes the firing of Alberta Health Services' CEO and the speedy passing in the legislature of Bill 17, the Alberta Health Care Act, a leaked government document has recently surfaced suggesting in print that the act is a simple stepping stone toward a private system.
"We're getting these leaks now that reveal secret plans to phase in more private health care into the province of Alberta," Eggen said. "We've been asking the question for months, what exactly is the agenda behind Bill 17? We guessed back then and I think we guessed quite accurately.
"I didn't realize the scope of the audacity that (the government) would have to move forward on some of these things, but I think it's pretty clear that this leaked document is really the second phase of the Alberta Health Act and let me tell you, it doesn't look too pretty at all."
Essentially, Eggen says the plan would be to start with insurance companies, allowing private providers to move in and bid amongst each other for your money. He says by allowing a parallel system of providers, costs for Albertans would skyrocket over time, as insurance companies would have an extreme amount of power.
"Privatization does not expand health care, it just shifts the power of where the money is," he said. "All the decision making would shift from doctors and health-care professionals to the insurance companies."
The issues go well past the thought of private insurance, Eggen stated.
Jan Bunney, chair for the FOM Palliser region, notes how the act doesn't include a patient charter, a section required by law. Instead, in it's place is a line stating the minister will put one together.
"There's an empty space there," Bunney says. "It's like me saying, you see that empty lot there? You can have a multi-million dollar casino there. Of course, it's not actually there."
Bunney says other local issues are on the forefront as well, such as the decision to contract out food services, which takes business out of Medicine Hat and puts it in Calgary, she argues.
With all the available food resources, Bunney wonders why more can't be done at the local level.
She also says several various expansions to local health care facilities, which have been promised by the government are also of concern, as people are wondering how much they can truly count on from the Progressive Conservative government.
One solution Bunney says could help these situations is to have designated spokespersons for each region that regular come to speak with the public.
"The public needs answers and they need someone locally who knows what's going on locally and we haven't gotten that."
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Check it out- christiangovernance.ca gets their hate on
Friends of Medicare despise patients; demand ideology
Filed Under: Opinion by SiteEditor — Leave a commentSeptember 3, 2010
A National Post article today – “Let the rich pay to jump health-care queue: MD” – reports on a recommendation from incoming president of the Calgary and Area Physician’s Association, Dr. Lloyd Maybaum, to allow wealthy Albertans to pay for their own health care, though at above-market prices.
All non-comatose Canadians know that health care waiting lists are inexcusably high, leaving many Canadians without genuine health care solutions. Dr. Maybaum suggests that his strategy would funnel more money into the system to help everyone who can’t, or won’t, pay directly for their own health care.
In response, fanatic David Eggen of Friends of Medicare demands ideological, or religious, purity in terms of support for the inefficient, morally bankrupt, massively expensive government system status quo. He’s not interested in patients; he’s protecting his god. The Post reports: “Mr. Eggen contended Dr. Maybaum’s proposal undermines the nature of the public system: helping patients based on their medical needs, not their bank accounts.”
The Post also quotes Mr. Eggen saying, “Queue jumping doesn’t build capacity within a health system. It simply shifts capacity over to the people who come up with the most money.” The kind of Google search a 5-year-old could do would show how absurd Mr. Eggen’s comment is. It is well-known to people who read that a whole variety of medical systems exist in Europe that are based on heavy state-management, but which are much more flexible than our system, yet with far superior outcomes for patients.
Mr. Eggen is incompetent. He and his ilk are ideological fanatics who, at the end of the day, don’t care one wit about real human patients. Two articles have crossed our desk in the past couple of days about U.S. President Obama’s rationing agenda to try to ensure the affordability of socialized medicine after forcing Obamacare into law in a move towards Canadian-style health care.
Filed Under: Opinion by SiteEditor — Leave a commentSeptember 3, 2010
A National Post article today – “Let the rich pay to jump health-care queue: MD” – reports on a recommendation from incoming president of the Calgary and Area Physician’s Association, Dr. Lloyd Maybaum, to allow wealthy Albertans to pay for their own health care, though at above-market prices.
All non-comatose Canadians know that health care waiting lists are inexcusably high, leaving many Canadians without genuine health care solutions. Dr. Maybaum suggests that his strategy would funnel more money into the system to help everyone who can’t, or won’t, pay directly for their own health care.
In response, fanatic David Eggen of Friends of Medicare demands ideological, or religious, purity in terms of support for the inefficient, morally bankrupt, massively expensive government system status quo. He’s not interested in patients; he’s protecting his god. The Post reports: “Mr. Eggen contended Dr. Maybaum’s proposal undermines the nature of the public system: helping patients based on their medical needs, not their bank accounts.”
The Post also quotes Mr. Eggen saying, “Queue jumping doesn’t build capacity within a health system. It simply shifts capacity over to the people who come up with the most money.” The kind of Google search a 5-year-old could do would show how absurd Mr. Eggen’s comment is. It is well-known to people who read that a whole variety of medical systems exist in Europe that are based on heavy state-management, but which are much more flexible than our system, yet with far superior outcomes for patients.
Mr. Eggen is incompetent. He and his ilk are ideological fanatics who, at the end of the day, don’t care one wit about real human patients. Two articles have crossed our desk in the past couple of days about U.S. President Obama’s rationing agenda to try to ensure the affordability of socialized medicine after forcing Obamacare into law in a move towards Canadian-style health care.
Calgary Herald
Albertans are waiting nearly a month longer than most other Canadians -- an average of 22.1 weeks -- for non-emergency surgery, according to a report released Monday by the Fraser Institute.
The report, titled Waiting Your Turn, used survey responses from doctors to measure how long patients wait for diagnostic and surgical procedures after being referred to a specialist by a general practitioner.
The annual study found Canadians are waiting an average of 18.2 weeks to get into an operating room, a figure that has only been higher once in the report's 20-year history, when it reached 18.3 weeks in 2007.
Mark Rovere, a health policy researcher with the Vancouver-based conservative think-tank, says new policies -- not more spending or wait-time targeting -- are the solution to shortening surgical delays.
"There's a real stubbornness in Canada because people think we have the perfect health care model," says Rovere. "But these figures show it's time we started looking at how others have tackled the issue."
He said countries such as the Netherlands and Switzerland have almost eliminated surgical waits by introducing competition and consumer choice through private insurance, while retaining universal coverage by subsidizing premiums for the poor.
David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, says the report shows Alberta needs to spend its health care dollars more efficiently and consider spending more so it can do more surgeries.
"The solution is not to throw up our hands and allow private insurance so people with money can jump to the front of the line," Eggen says.
"We need to have capacity in our province that reflects our growing population."
Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky was unavailable for comment Monday, but Alison Tonge, the executive vice-president of strategy and performance with Alberta Health Services, said the province's 13 per cent rise in wait times this the report show there's a need to make drastic improvements.
"I can't comment on the methodology used in the study," said Tonge, "but I'd be the first to admit we need to improve access to scheduled care, whether it's surgery or getting in to see a doctor." AHS tracks how long patients wait for surgery after seeing a specialist, not the time that passes after a patient is referred by a general practitioner to a specialist.
Under new performance measures announced last week, the provincial health authority aims to substantially shorten waits by March 2015. For example, 90 per cent of Albertans in need of a knee replacement have the procedure done within 49 weeks of seeing a specialist. Next year, AHS hopes to lower that number to 42 weeks. For 2015, it has set a target of 14 weeks.
"We're not going to shorten these waits overnight," says Tonge, "but by looking at the entire pathway from the family doctor through to treatment we think we can speed things up."
For example. Tonge says AHS has formed a provincewide bone and network that's looking at whether pooling referrals could shorten the time patients wait to be seen by specialists and to get their surgeries done.
Based on surveys from 1,667 doctors across the country, including 177 in Alberta, the Fraser Institute report showed wait times increased in all provinces this year.
Ontario showed the shortest total wait time at 14.0 weeks. Manitoba was next with an average wait of 17.5 weeks. Quebec and B. C were tied at 18.8 weeks. Saskatchewan and all of the Atlantic provinces had significant longer waits than Alberta's 22.1 weeks.
Nationally, the study found the longest waits were for orthopedic, plastic and neurosurgical procedures, with average waits of 35.6, 31.5 and 29.7 weeks, respectively.
While the report found Canadians saw waits for ultrasound and CT-scans shorten last year, they are waiting longer for more magnetic resonance imaging. Patients who need MRIs wait an average of 9.8 weeks. In Alberta, they wait 11.5 weeks.
Rovere said the response rate to the 2010 survey was down substantially from previous years.
Only about 16 per cent of specialists sent the questionnaire filled it out, despite being offered the chance to win a $2,000 prize.
The report, titled Waiting Your Turn, used survey responses from doctors to measure how long patients wait for diagnostic and surgical procedures after being referred to a specialist by a general practitioner.
The annual study found Canadians are waiting an average of 18.2 weeks to get into an operating room, a figure that has only been higher once in the report's 20-year history, when it reached 18.3 weeks in 2007.
Mark Rovere, a health policy researcher with the Vancouver-based conservative think-tank, says new policies -- not more spending or wait-time targeting -- are the solution to shortening surgical delays.
"There's a real stubbornness in Canada because people think we have the perfect health care model," says Rovere. "But these figures show it's time we started looking at how others have tackled the issue."
He said countries such as the Netherlands and Switzerland have almost eliminated surgical waits by introducing competition and consumer choice through private insurance, while retaining universal coverage by subsidizing premiums for the poor.
David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, says the report shows Alberta needs to spend its health care dollars more efficiently and consider spending more so it can do more surgeries.
"The solution is not to throw up our hands and allow private insurance so people with money can jump to the front of the line," Eggen says.
"We need to have capacity in our province that reflects our growing population."
Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky was unavailable for comment Monday, but Alison Tonge, the executive vice-president of strategy and performance with Alberta Health Services, said the province's 13 per cent rise in wait times this the report show there's a need to make drastic improvements.
"I can't comment on the methodology used in the study," said Tonge, "but I'd be the first to admit we need to improve access to scheduled care, whether it's surgery or getting in to see a doctor." AHS tracks how long patients wait for surgery after seeing a specialist, not the time that passes after a patient is referred by a general practitioner to a specialist.
Under new performance measures announced last week, the provincial health authority aims to substantially shorten waits by March 2015. For example, 90 per cent of Albertans in need of a knee replacement have the procedure done within 49 weeks of seeing a specialist. Next year, AHS hopes to lower that number to 42 weeks. For 2015, it has set a target of 14 weeks.
"We're not going to shorten these waits overnight," says Tonge, "but by looking at the entire pathway from the family doctor through to treatment we think we can speed things up."
For example. Tonge says AHS has formed a provincewide bone and network that's looking at whether pooling referrals could shorten the time patients wait to be seen by specialists and to get their surgeries done.
Based on surveys from 1,667 doctors across the country, including 177 in Alberta, the Fraser Institute report showed wait times increased in all provinces this year.
Ontario showed the shortest total wait time at 14.0 weeks. Manitoba was next with an average wait of 17.5 weeks. Quebec and B. C were tied at 18.8 weeks. Saskatchewan and all of the Atlantic provinces had significant longer waits than Alberta's 22.1 weeks.
Nationally, the study found the longest waits were for orthopedic, plastic and neurosurgical procedures, with average waits of 35.6, 31.5 and 29.7 weeks, respectively.
While the report found Canadians saw waits for ultrasound and CT-scans shorten last year, they are waiting longer for more magnetic resonance imaging. Patients who need MRIs wait an average of 9.8 weeks. In Alberta, they wait 11.5 weeks.
Rovere said the response rate to the 2010 survey was down substantially from previous years.
Only about 16 per cent of specialists sent the questionnaire filled it out, despite being offered the chance to win a $2,000 prize.
Fraser Institute wants to go dutch or swiss cheese
EDMONTON - The Fraser Institute wants Canada to lift a page from the Swiss and Dutch health-care playbooks.
According to the institute's Mark Rovere, both Switzerland and the Netherlands have a public health-care system, but all health insurance is private.
"Of course, the devil's in the details," Rovere said. "You have to regulate the insurance industry, but those are two countries that have zero wait lists and a universal health care system."
Rovere added that it makes better financial sense than our system, where everyone - no matter how wealthy - gets government-subsidized health care.
"We believe that is a better model and use of taxpayers' money. If you can afford to buy private insurance, there's no reason why you should have the state buy it for you."
But the head of Alberta's Friends of Medicare said there's no need to radically overhaul our current system. David Eggen said the government simply has to commit to fixing it.
"You can't fix wait times with empty rhetoric," he said. "You have to actually do something. Right now there's political paralysis. The events in the last weeks and months in Alberta have only reinforced that."
He said the government "clearly needs to increase capacity" in the health-care system. The biggest problem, he explained, is a shortage of people willing to work in health care.
"We already have a fairly intact single-payer system," Eggen said. "You just need to buttress that we should be able to realize real reductions in wait times."
But maverick former Tory MLA Raj Sherman, said fixing the system isn't a matter of money. Sherman, an emergency-room doctor, was booted out of the Tory caucus last month for his withering criticism of the government's handling of health-care.
"There's enough money in the system," Sherman said. "It's just that every inefficiency affects everywhere else in the system.
"The devil's in the details. You have to regulate the insurance industry, but those are two countries that have zero wait lists in a universal health care system."
According to the institute's Mark Rovere, both Switzerland and the Netherlands have a public health-care system, but all health insurance is private.
"Of course, the devil's in the details," Rovere said. "You have to regulate the insurance industry, but those are two countries that have zero wait lists and a universal health care system."
Rovere added that it makes better financial sense than our system, where everyone - no matter how wealthy - gets government-subsidized health care.
"We believe that is a better model and use of taxpayers' money. If you can afford to buy private insurance, there's no reason why you should have the state buy it for you."
But the head of Alberta's Friends of Medicare said there's no need to radically overhaul our current system. David Eggen said the government simply has to commit to fixing it.
"You can't fix wait times with empty rhetoric," he said. "You have to actually do something. Right now there's political paralysis. The events in the last weeks and months in Alberta have only reinforced that."
He said the government "clearly needs to increase capacity" in the health-care system. The biggest problem, he explained, is a shortage of people willing to work in health care.
"We already have a fairly intact single-payer system," Eggen said. "You just need to buttress that we should be able to realize real reductions in wait times."
But maverick former Tory MLA Raj Sherman, said fixing the system isn't a matter of money. Sherman, an emergency-room doctor, was booted out of the Tory caucus last month for his withering criticism of the government's handling of health-care.
"There's enough money in the system," Sherman said. "It's just that every inefficiency affects everywhere else in the system.
"The devil's in the details. You have to regulate the insurance industry, but those are two countries that have zero wait lists in a universal health care system."
Monday, December 6, 2010
Mother with high-risk pregnancy transferred to Saskatoon
By Jodie Sinnema, Edmonton Journal December 4, 2010 A mother from the Peace River area with a high-risk pregnancy was transferred to Saskatoon on Thursday because all the appropriate hospital beds in Alberta were full.
Four newborns from the Royal Alexandra Hospital were also transferred to Grande Prairie with their mothers to ensure some neonatal intensive-care beds for higher-risk babies remained available for emergency cases in Edmonton.
"It is unusual," said Dr. Ernest Phillipos, regional director for newborn care in Alberta Health Services' Edmonton zone. "We have to keep some beds available so that we don't transfer out of province."
"In obstetrics, there are peaks of times when it's very busy and then there's other times when it's less busy," said Dr. Nan Schuurmans, Edmonton zone's regional director for women's health. Edmonton is the catchment area for high-risk mothers from places such as Yellowknife, N.W.T., and Fort St. John, B.C. No one is turned away, even during the annual baby boom that tends to take place in May and June.
"It's unusual to send someone out of province, but we have made allowances to do that if we have to," Schuurmans said.
"Mothers would rather stay as close to their home communities as possible, and mothers and babies should always, ideally, stay together. That is our goal to do that, but if for the safety of either the mother or baby we have to move them, then that's what we do because we put safety first."
The four babies from the Edmonton area no longer needed the highest level of care, or Level 3 beds, so they could be placed in Level 2 beds located in places such as Grande Prairie, Red Deer or Medicine Hat. Nine of 10 Level 2 beds in Grande Prairie are full. Edmonton's Grey Nuns and Misericordia hospitals also have Level 2 beds, but the Grey Nuns had 28 babies in a ward funded for 25 beds, and the Misericordia was caring for 11 babies and one open bed.
The woman from Peace River needed a high-risk obstetrics bed in a hospital that also had a neonatal intensive care bed for her newborn, just in case she had an early birth. But as of Friday morning, all 20 such high-risk obstetrics beds at the Royal Alexandra Hospital were full, as were the 11 at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary. Those are the only Alberta sites that have high-risk obstetrics.
All but two of the neonatal intensive care beds at the Alex were also full, and all but one at the Foothills. The 14 neonatal beds at the Stollery Children's Hospital were also full of premature babies.
Peace River has three regular obstetrics beds, and very ill or premature babies are always flown with a medical team to a big city hospital.
Schuurmans said there has been a steady increase in Alberta's birth rate over the past five years, with 41,560 babies born in 2005 and approximately 51,045 babies born in 2009.
There are also many more multiple births than in the past, Phillipos said, since older women are using fertility treatments to become pregnant. Twins and triplets are often born prematurely and need more intense hospital care.
In the past six weeks, seven sets of triplets have been born in the province, putting a squeeze on the health system by requiring 21 hospital bassinets with specialized staff for weeks at a time.
"Trying to predict the future is like trying to predict the stock market," Phillipos said. "It's stressful on us as a staff because we try to keep the moms closer to home."
He and Schuurmans said Alberta Health Services is reviewing how many more delivery, obstetrics and baby beds need to be added in the province to respond to the growing population in the coming years.
"You don't want to have so many beds that they're sitting empty and it's wasting precious dollars, but again you can't predict necessarily when the population is going to have a lot more babies," Schuurmans said.
"We do need to respond to that." Alberta Health Services has recently come close to sending other mothers over Alberta's borders. On Wednesday, the Royal Alexandra Hospital, which is funded to run 60 neonatal intensive-care beds, was overflowing with 65 babies.
That almost necessitated the transfer of a Fort McMurray mother with a high-risk pregnancy to Saskatoon, but she ended up in Calgary.
A provincial protocol, in which obstetricians, neonatologists and nursing managers work together, helps determine where and how to shuffle babies and mothers so each receives appropriate care.
During slower times in the past few months, local hospitals have also accepted high-risk mothers from B.C. and Saskatchewan.
"We help each other as provinces," Phillipos said.
Tom Noseworthy, a health-policy analyst on sabbatical from the University of Calgary, said transferring a pregnant mother out of province isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as it doesn't happen often, which would indicate a trend in inadequate resources here.
"This is good medicine when they do that," Noseworthy said. "It really is not usual."
While such stories pull at the heartstrings since they involve babies, David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, said it's important patients of all types have access to quick, appropriate emergency care.
On Wednesday morning, for instance, Edmonton hospitals had 11 patients waiting in emergency stretchers for beds where they could be cared for by mental-health staff. One of the patients had been waiting three days.
Eggen said more obstetric beds are needed. A clinic in Brooks in southern Alberta reopened this past summer after two physicians were recruited to deliver babies. The clinic had been closed for more than a year, forcing mothers to head to Medicine Hat, which subsequently experienced a baby boom.
There, the birth rate soared 50 per cent in four years.
In early 2007, four women with high-risk pregnancies in the Calgary and Lethbridge areas were transferred to Great Falls, Mont., because Foothills Hospital's neonatal intensive-care unit was at capacity.
At approximately the same time, another five high-risk pregnancies from southern Alberta went to Edmonton, and a Lethbridge woman pregnant with triplets was sent to Toronto.
Officials blamed the full wards at Foothills on too few nurses and beds. Families said they were being financially and emotionally burdened by the transfers, since they didn't have nearby family support and needed to pay for accommodations and airfare.
Alberta Health Services is financially supporting the families of the mother and babies transferred this week.
jsinnema@edmontonjournal.com
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
By Jodie Sinnema, Edmonton Journal December 4, 2010 A mother from the Peace River area with a high-risk pregnancy was transferred to Saskatoon on Thursday because all the appropriate hospital beds in Alberta were full.
Four newborns from the Royal Alexandra Hospital were also transferred to Grande Prairie with their mothers to ensure some neonatal intensive-care beds for higher-risk babies remained available for emergency cases in Edmonton.
"It is unusual," said Dr. Ernest Phillipos, regional director for newborn care in Alberta Health Services' Edmonton zone. "We have to keep some beds available so that we don't transfer out of province."
"In obstetrics, there are peaks of times when it's very busy and then there's other times when it's less busy," said Dr. Nan Schuurmans, Edmonton zone's regional director for women's health. Edmonton is the catchment area for high-risk mothers from places such as Yellowknife, N.W.T., and Fort St. John, B.C. No one is turned away, even during the annual baby boom that tends to take place in May and June.
"It's unusual to send someone out of province, but we have made allowances to do that if we have to," Schuurmans said.
"Mothers would rather stay as close to their home communities as possible, and mothers and babies should always, ideally, stay together. That is our goal to do that, but if for the safety of either the mother or baby we have to move them, then that's what we do because we put safety first."
The four babies from the Edmonton area no longer needed the highest level of care, or Level 3 beds, so they could be placed in Level 2 beds located in places such as Grande Prairie, Red Deer or Medicine Hat. Nine of 10 Level 2 beds in Grande Prairie are full. Edmonton's Grey Nuns and Misericordia hospitals also have Level 2 beds, but the Grey Nuns had 28 babies in a ward funded for 25 beds, and the Misericordia was caring for 11 babies and one open bed.
The woman from Peace River needed a high-risk obstetrics bed in a hospital that also had a neonatal intensive care bed for her newborn, just in case she had an early birth. But as of Friday morning, all 20 such high-risk obstetrics beds at the Royal Alexandra Hospital were full, as were the 11 at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary. Those are the only Alberta sites that have high-risk obstetrics.
All but two of the neonatal intensive care beds at the Alex were also full, and all but one at the Foothills. The 14 neonatal beds at the Stollery Children's Hospital were also full of premature babies.
Peace River has three regular obstetrics beds, and very ill or premature babies are always flown with a medical team to a big city hospital.
Schuurmans said there has been a steady increase in Alberta's birth rate over the past five years, with 41,560 babies born in 2005 and approximately 51,045 babies born in 2009.
There are also many more multiple births than in the past, Phillipos said, since older women are using fertility treatments to become pregnant. Twins and triplets are often born prematurely and need more intense hospital care.
In the past six weeks, seven sets of triplets have been born in the province, putting a squeeze on the health system by requiring 21 hospital bassinets with specialized staff for weeks at a time.
"Trying to predict the future is like trying to predict the stock market," Phillipos said. "It's stressful on us as a staff because we try to keep the moms closer to home."
He and Schuurmans said Alberta Health Services is reviewing how many more delivery, obstetrics and baby beds need to be added in the province to respond to the growing population in the coming years.
"You don't want to have so many beds that they're sitting empty and it's wasting precious dollars, but again you can't predict necessarily when the population is going to have a lot more babies," Schuurmans said.
"We do need to respond to that." Alberta Health Services has recently come close to sending other mothers over Alberta's borders. On Wednesday, the Royal Alexandra Hospital, which is funded to run 60 neonatal intensive-care beds, was overflowing with 65 babies.
That almost necessitated the transfer of a Fort McMurray mother with a high-risk pregnancy to Saskatoon, but she ended up in Calgary.
A provincial protocol, in which obstetricians, neonatologists and nursing managers work together, helps determine where and how to shuffle babies and mothers so each receives appropriate care.
During slower times in the past few months, local hospitals have also accepted high-risk mothers from B.C. and Saskatchewan.
"We help each other as provinces," Phillipos said.
Tom Noseworthy, a health-policy analyst on sabbatical from the University of Calgary, said transferring a pregnant mother out of province isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as it doesn't happen often, which would indicate a trend in inadequate resources here.
"This is good medicine when they do that," Noseworthy said. "It really is not usual."
While such stories pull at the heartstrings since they involve babies, David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, said it's important patients of all types have access to quick, appropriate emergency care.
On Wednesday morning, for instance, Edmonton hospitals had 11 patients waiting in emergency stretchers for beds where they could be cared for by mental-health staff. One of the patients had been waiting three days.
Eggen said more obstetric beds are needed. A clinic in Brooks in southern Alberta reopened this past summer after two physicians were recruited to deliver babies. The clinic had been closed for more than a year, forcing mothers to head to Medicine Hat, which subsequently experienced a baby boom.
There, the birth rate soared 50 per cent in four years.
In early 2007, four women with high-risk pregnancies in the Calgary and Lethbridge areas were transferred to Great Falls, Mont., because Foothills Hospital's neonatal intensive-care unit was at capacity.
At approximately the same time, another five high-risk pregnancies from southern Alberta went to Edmonton, and a Lethbridge woman pregnant with triplets was sent to Toronto.
Officials blamed the full wards at Foothills on too few nurses and beds. Families said they were being financially and emotionally burdened by the transfers, since they didn't have nearby family support and needed to pay for accommodations and airfare.
Alberta Health Services is financially supporting the families of the mother and babies transferred this week.
jsinnema@edmontonjournal.com
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
CTV Edmonton
Jessica Earle, ctvedmonton.ca
Just days after provincial authorities passed the Alberta Health Act, Friends of Medicare and its supporters mounted a protest, arguing Bill 17 opens the door to two-tier private services.
The demonstration, which attracted an estimated 300 people, took place on the front steps of the Legislature Saturday afternoon.
According to event organizers, two leaked documents – "Legislation Moving Forward" and "Alberta's Five Year Action Plan" – jeopardize health laws by consolidating five core health acts. Friends of Medicare suggests this leaves people vulnerable to extra billing, private insurance and delisting.
"We saw lots of disastrous things happen in these last couple of weeks," said David Eggen, the organization's executive director.
"We knew that Bill 17 was designed as enabling legislation to go after the real laws that actually protect our public system…It's a charter without teeth and an advocate without any power."
MP Ujjal Dosanjh, a former Federal Health Minister, attended the demonstration and told the crowd that "health care… across the country is under attack."
The Liberal politician believes the new provincial legislation could set a precedent for the rest of the country.
"The push on double dipping and private health insurance in Alberta, if those two converge, we will have the end of public health care in Canada," he argued.
Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky released a statement Saturday, assuring the new bill is not a step towards a two-tier system.
"Let me be clear: there is no ‘agenda' to privatize Alberta's health system," an excerpt reads.
"The new Alberta Health Act makes no changes to our existing provincial health care legislation. Our government has committed to do exactly what Albertans asked, and that is to consult with them if, and when, we want to consider any changes to existing health care legislation."
Zwozdesky goes on to describe the new health care plan as "the most comprehensive and ambitious" of its kind in Canada, allowing for "better access, shorter wait times and safe, quality care."
With Files from Laura Tupper
Just days after provincial authorities passed the Alberta Health Act, Friends of Medicare and its supporters mounted a protest, arguing Bill 17 opens the door to two-tier private services.
The demonstration, which attracted an estimated 300 people, took place on the front steps of the Legislature Saturday afternoon.
According to event organizers, two leaked documents – "Legislation Moving Forward" and "Alberta's Five Year Action Plan" – jeopardize health laws by consolidating five core health acts. Friends of Medicare suggests this leaves people vulnerable to extra billing, private insurance and delisting.
"We saw lots of disastrous things happen in these last couple of weeks," said David Eggen, the organization's executive director.
"We knew that Bill 17 was designed as enabling legislation to go after the real laws that actually protect our public system…It's a charter without teeth and an advocate without any power."
MP Ujjal Dosanjh, a former Federal Health Minister, attended the demonstration and told the crowd that "health care… across the country is under attack."
The Liberal politician believes the new provincial legislation could set a precedent for the rest of the country.
"The push on double dipping and private health insurance in Alberta, if those two converge, we will have the end of public health care in Canada," he argued.
Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky released a statement Saturday, assuring the new bill is not a step towards a two-tier system.
"Let me be clear: there is no ‘agenda' to privatize Alberta's health system," an excerpt reads.
"The new Alberta Health Act makes no changes to our existing provincial health care legislation. Our government has committed to do exactly what Albertans asked, and that is to consult with them if, and when, we want to consider any changes to existing health care legislation."
Zwozdesky goes on to describe the new health care plan as "the most comprehensive and ambitious" of its kind in Canada, allowing for "better access, shorter wait times and safe, quality care."
With Files from Laura Tupper
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Alberta Legislature Albertans rally against private health care
Alison Sandor and Grant Farhall Dec 04, 2010 17:46:44 PM
0 Recommendation(s) About 800 people rallied on Saturday at the Alberta Legislature, protesting what they think is a move towards private health care.
The event was organized by Friends of Medicare. Executive Director Dr. David Eggen tells 660News he doesn't think Albertans were happy with the way MLA Raj Sherman was treated during the fall session.
He says it's important that the public keep governments in check and make sure they are representing the beliefs of Albertans, and not just pushing forward on private health care.
In a statement, Alberta Health and Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky said he welcomes an open, honest discussion about improving publicly funded health care.
Alison Sandor and Grant Farhall Dec 04, 2010 17:46:44 PM
0 Recommendation(s) About 800 people rallied on Saturday at the Alberta Legislature, protesting what they think is a move towards private health care.
The event was organized by Friends of Medicare. Executive Director Dr. David Eggen tells 660News he doesn't think Albertans were happy with the way MLA Raj Sherman was treated during the fall session.
He says it's important that the public keep governments in check and make sure they are representing the beliefs of Albertans, and not just pushing forward on private health care.
In a statement, Alberta Health and Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky said he welcomes an open, honest discussion about improving publicly funded health care.
Alberta government can't win its battle with Raj Sherman
Tories' ghost of session past has become a folk hero
By Graham Thomson, edmontonjournal.com )
They even talked about the dismal level of public discourse in the fall sitting of the legislature, where both government and opposition members traded insults, not ideas.
They did not, I am assured, burn MLA Raj Sherman in effigy, nor did they even throw darts at a picture of their former colleague, who was tossed from caucus last week.
They discussed having a more dignified spring session in February. When they did mention Sherman, I am told, they did so only to remind each other that the first rule of talking about Raj Sherman in public is not to talk about Raj Sherman in public.
It is Fight Club without any fight.
Government MLAs are exhausted, both physically and politically.
Physically, because of all-night debating sessions where they tried to defend their spotty record on health care; politically because of all-night debating sessions where they failed to defend their spotty record on health care.
The only reason any of them are smiling is at the thought the fall sitting is behind them, receding in the rear-view mirror.
The problem, however, is that sitting in the back seat is Raj Sherman. He just won't go away.
He may have been ejected from caucus for criticizing his fellow MLAs, specifically former health minister Ron Liepert, but they can't get rid of him. He is like the uninvited ghost of Christmas Past come to remind everyone of the government's sins on health care.
It was Sherman's original e-mail critical of Premier Ed Stelmach and cabinet that started the chain reaction that led to his ejection from caucus, Stephen Duckett's firing as president of Alberta Health Services and the resignation of four directors from the AHS board.
He was also the catalyst for the all-night legislative debates and is the reason why government members look like they expect Santa to put a large lump of coal in their stocking -- and then beat them with it.
They absolutely don't know how to fight back. Sherman has become something of a folk hero, and government MLAs look vindictive when they try to counterpunch.
In the past two weeks of the fall session, they have displayed the defensive skills of a baby seal during hunting season.
Looking particularly doe-eyed was Tory MLA Fred Horne, who tried to defend himself against concerted opposition allegations that he led a smear campaign against Sherman by placing a call to Dr. P.J. White, president of the Alberta Medical Association, to voice concerns about Sherman's mental health.
White, in turn, called three doctors about Sherman's emotional state. Both Horne and White insist they talked merely as two friends concerned about the state of a third.
It's true the three are friends, but the political optics of Horne's call were horrible.
The fact is Horne wasn't simply a member of the public calling someone else about a mutual friend. He is the parliamentary assistant for health who phoned the head of the AMA, who happens to be a psychiatrist, about the mental health of a political foe, a foe that the government doesn't know how to shut up.
White issued an apology on Thursday, saying he had talked to Sherman: "I was unequivocal in expressing my deep regret for the way events had transpired and for playing a part in the situation that resulted in negative consequences."
Horne won't talk about Sherman, in part because the government desperately wants to move on, and because the government is leery of what legal action Sherman might be contemplating after hiring high-profile Edmonton lawyer Brian Beresh. Beresh and his client will make an announcement Saturday on the front steps of the legislature in conjunction with a Friends of Medicare rally. They won't provide details, but it's a safe bet he and Sherman are not launching a fundraiser for the premier.
Fear of possible legal action has not ended this story, merely driven it behind closed doors. Horne's friends are discreetly seeking out journalists to plead Horne's case in private, insisting the rookie MLA called White out of a sincere concern for Sherman. Horne's only sin, they say, is being politically naive, not realizing how his phone call could be viewed as something nefarious.
However, by continuing to defend Horne, they are obliquely continuing what could be construed as a whisper campaign against Sherman. They are caught in a Catch-22.
The government simply cannot win this fight. No matter what it does it looks like a bully or incompetent.
Even when it tries to move the debate forward, it stumbles. On Tuesday, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky proudly launched his Becoming the Best: Alberta's 5-year Health Action Plan to solve long wait times for medical care, which he hoped would provide political cover from opposition attacks. However, sources say the government has received more than a few calls from Albertans outraged that health has deteriorated to the point it will take five years to fix the problems.
The government's only strategy is to escape the legislature for the Christmas break and hope that things quieten down in the New Year.
Of course, there's as much chance of that happening as decorum returning to the legislature.
Tories' ghost of session past has become a folk hero
By Graham Thomson, edmontonjournal.com )
They even talked about the dismal level of public discourse in the fall sitting of the legislature, where both government and opposition members traded insults, not ideas.
They did not, I am assured, burn MLA Raj Sherman in effigy, nor did they even throw darts at a picture of their former colleague, who was tossed from caucus last week.
They discussed having a more dignified spring session in February. When they did mention Sherman, I am told, they did so only to remind each other that the first rule of talking about Raj Sherman in public is not to talk about Raj Sherman in public.
It is Fight Club without any fight.
Government MLAs are exhausted, both physically and politically.
Physically, because of all-night debating sessions where they tried to defend their spotty record on health care; politically because of all-night debating sessions where they failed to defend their spotty record on health care.
The only reason any of them are smiling is at the thought the fall sitting is behind them, receding in the rear-view mirror.
The problem, however, is that sitting in the back seat is Raj Sherman. He just won't go away.
He may have been ejected from caucus for criticizing his fellow MLAs, specifically former health minister Ron Liepert, but they can't get rid of him. He is like the uninvited ghost of Christmas Past come to remind everyone of the government's sins on health care.
It was Sherman's original e-mail critical of Premier Ed Stelmach and cabinet that started the chain reaction that led to his ejection from caucus, Stephen Duckett's firing as president of Alberta Health Services and the resignation of four directors from the AHS board.
He was also the catalyst for the all-night legislative debates and is the reason why government members look like they expect Santa to put a large lump of coal in their stocking -- and then beat them with it.
They absolutely don't know how to fight back. Sherman has become something of a folk hero, and government MLAs look vindictive when they try to counterpunch.
In the past two weeks of the fall session, they have displayed the defensive skills of a baby seal during hunting season.
Looking particularly doe-eyed was Tory MLA Fred Horne, who tried to defend himself against concerted opposition allegations that he led a smear campaign against Sherman by placing a call to Dr. P.J. White, president of the Alberta Medical Association, to voice concerns about Sherman's mental health.
White, in turn, called three doctors about Sherman's emotional state. Both Horne and White insist they talked merely as two friends concerned about the state of a third.
It's true the three are friends, but the political optics of Horne's call were horrible.
The fact is Horne wasn't simply a member of the public calling someone else about a mutual friend. He is the parliamentary assistant for health who phoned the head of the AMA, who happens to be a psychiatrist, about the mental health of a political foe, a foe that the government doesn't know how to shut up.
White issued an apology on Thursday, saying he had talked to Sherman: "I was unequivocal in expressing my deep regret for the way events had transpired and for playing a part in the situation that resulted in negative consequences."
Horne won't talk about Sherman, in part because the government desperately wants to move on, and because the government is leery of what legal action Sherman might be contemplating after hiring high-profile Edmonton lawyer Brian Beresh. Beresh and his client will make an announcement Saturday on the front steps of the legislature in conjunction with a Friends of Medicare rally. They won't provide details, but it's a safe bet he and Sherman are not launching a fundraiser for the premier.
Fear of possible legal action has not ended this story, merely driven it behind closed doors. Horne's friends are discreetly seeking out journalists to plead Horne's case in private, insisting the rookie MLA called White out of a sincere concern for Sherman. Horne's only sin, they say, is being politically naive, not realizing how his phone call could be viewed as something nefarious.
However, by continuing to defend Horne, they are obliquely continuing what could be construed as a whisper campaign against Sherman. They are caught in a Catch-22.
The government simply cannot win this fight. No matter what it does it looks like a bully or incompetent.
Even when it tries to move the debate forward, it stumbles. On Tuesday, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky proudly launched his Becoming the Best: Alberta's 5-year Health Action Plan to solve long wait times for medical care, which he hoped would provide political cover from opposition attacks. However, sources say the government has received more than a few calls from Albertans outraged that health has deteriorated to the point it will take five years to fix the problems.
The government's only strategy is to escape the legislature for the Christmas break and hope that things quieten down in the New Year.
Of course, there's as much chance of that happening as decorum returning to the legislature.
Edmonton Journal can't count a crowd! :)
Ousted Tory MLA seeks apologies in health care controversy
Brian Beresh told about 300 health-care supporters rallying on the steps of the Alberta legislature that he will determine whether Sherman’s privacy rights have been violated, and will take action accordingly.
Beresh said he has sent letters asking for written retractions and apologies for defamatory comments made about his client, an emergency room physician who now sits as an independent MLA.
The rally was in response to the recently leaked documents that organizers claim are first steps toward a privatized health care system.
Sherman said Alberta’s emergency health system was on the brink of collapse. He said front line health care workers are demoralized and that swift action must be taken to improve the situation.
“Emergency doctors and nurses who work on the front lines are some of the toughest people,” he said. “If we cry ‘Wolf,’ you had better listen.”
The crisis was not the fault of former Alberta Health Services CEO Stephen Duckett, who was fired from his post last week, Sherman added. He said Duckett walked into a mess.
He said the question Albertans should be asking is who hired Duckett, and what the state of the system was before he arrived.
cpierse@edmontonjournal.com
Brian Beresh told about 300 health-care supporters rallying on the steps of the Alberta legislature that he will determine whether Sherman’s privacy rights have been violated, and will take action accordingly.
Beresh said he has sent letters asking for written retractions and apologies for defamatory comments made about his client, an emergency room physician who now sits as an independent MLA.
The rally was in response to the recently leaked documents that organizers claim are first steps toward a privatized health care system.
Sherman said Alberta’s emergency health system was on the brink of collapse. He said front line health care workers are demoralized and that swift action must be taken to improve the situation.
“Emergency doctors and nurses who work on the front lines are some of the toughest people,” he said. “If we cry ‘Wolf,’ you had better listen.”
The crisis was not the fault of former Alberta Health Services CEO Stephen Duckett, who was fired from his post last week, Sherman added. He said Duckett walked into a mess.
He said the question Albertans should be asking is who hired Duckett, and what the state of the system was before he arrived.
cpierse@edmontonjournal.com
CBC Calgary
Health-care protest hits Alta. legislature
No agenda to privatize health system: minister
Last Updated: Saturday, December 4, 2010 | 4:41 PM MT Comments88Recommend47CBC News
Health-care advocates descend on the legislature on Saturday. (CBC)Public health-care advocates from across the country took their cause to the steps of the Alberta legislature on Saturday.
Friends of Medicare, a provincial lobby group, organized the event in the wake of concerns the Tories are planning to further privatize the province's health-care system.
Vancouver MP and federal Health Critic Ujjal Dosanjh said even though health care is a provincial responsibility, the country needs to keep an eye on what's happening in Alberta.
"I'm worried about the larger implicit opening for privatization," he said.
"Defending public health care in one province or in any province is defending public health care in the country, so it's not about Alberta — it could have been anywhere."
Dosanjh said decisions made in Alberta could set a precedent for the rest of the country.
"I'm very, very worried about the federal non-role in health care under this government and some province's desire to push for privatization," he said.
"That's why I felt it was important for me to come and stand with those that defend health care."
'Not funded from the Stelmach piggy bank'
Former Tory MLA Raj Sherman and his lawyer, Brian Beresh, both spoke to those gathered at the rally.
Former Tory MLA Raj Sherman (right) says partisan politics have no place in the health care system. (Andrea Huncar/CBC)Sherman was suspended from the Tory caucus after he started speaking out about health care. He has also raised concerns that his former colleagues are carrying on a whisper campaign aimed at damaging his reputation.
Speaking to the crowd on Saturday, Beresh said he will launch an investigation into whether Sherman has been the subject of a conspiracy to silence and discredit him.
"I will immediately commence an investigation in the past 30 days to see if there is a conspiracy against my client."
Beresh demanded an apology and asked anyone who has maligned Sherman's reputation to retract their statements.
"[Sherman] feels that some individuals in this system in which he has been operating as a representative of the people have not played by the rules," Beresh said as cheers rose up from the crowd.
"Dr. Sherman believes that our health-care system belongs to the people of this province and that any government in power is simply its trustee or guardian. That health-care system is funded by the people and it is a system that is for the people. It is not the property of Premier Stelmach or the Conservative government. It is not funded from the Stelmach piggy bank, it is funded by you and me."
Beresh said the province's health-care system is in a "crisis situation."
As Beresh wrapped up his remarks and Sherman took to the stage, cheers erupted from the crowd. One person could be heard shouting, "We've got your back, Raj."
He told the crowd the current situation is simply unacceptable.
"There's nothing more unfortunate than being in the wealthiest province in the wealthiest country on this planet, sitting in a waiting room five metres from care and you're having a heart attack and you have to wait about five, six hours," he said.
Sherman said he felt compelled to tell the truth about the problems he sees within the system, despite the political backlash he has faced.
"Partisan politics collided with the values — with Albertan values actually, and Canadian values — of a very honourable medical profession [to tell the truth] ... and partisan politics won."
No privatization agenda
In another development, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky issued a written statement in response to the rally.
"An open, honest discussion about how we can improve our publicly funded health-care system is always welcome. The discussion has to focus on putting the needs of patients first and the actions required to achieve that," the statement read.
"Our government and Alberta Health Services have rolled out the most comprehensive and ambitious health-care plan in Canada. It focuses on what Albertans want: better access, shorter wait times and safe, quality care."
The statement went on to say, "Let me be clear: there is no 'agenda' to privatize Alberta’s health system.
"The new Alberta Health Act makes no changes to our existing provincial health-care legislation. Our government has committed to do exactly what Albertans asked, and that is to consult with them if, and when, we want to consider any changes to existing health-care legislation."
Zwozdesky said the government's only agenda is creating the "best-performing, public funded health-care system in Canada."
No agenda to privatize health system: minister
Last Updated: Saturday, December 4, 2010 | 4:41 PM MT Comments88Recommend47CBC News
Health-care advocates descend on the legislature on Saturday. (CBC)Public health-care advocates from across the country took their cause to the steps of the Alberta legislature on Saturday.
Friends of Medicare, a provincial lobby group, organized the event in the wake of concerns the Tories are planning to further privatize the province's health-care system.
Vancouver MP and federal Health Critic Ujjal Dosanjh said even though health care is a provincial responsibility, the country needs to keep an eye on what's happening in Alberta.
"I'm worried about the larger implicit opening for privatization," he said.
"Defending public health care in one province or in any province is defending public health care in the country, so it's not about Alberta — it could have been anywhere."
Dosanjh said decisions made in Alberta could set a precedent for the rest of the country.
"I'm very, very worried about the federal non-role in health care under this government and some province's desire to push for privatization," he said.
"That's why I felt it was important for me to come and stand with those that defend health care."
'Not funded from the Stelmach piggy bank'
Former Tory MLA Raj Sherman and his lawyer, Brian Beresh, both spoke to those gathered at the rally.
Former Tory MLA Raj Sherman (right) says partisan politics have no place in the health care system. (Andrea Huncar/CBC)Sherman was suspended from the Tory caucus after he started speaking out about health care. He has also raised concerns that his former colleagues are carrying on a whisper campaign aimed at damaging his reputation.
Speaking to the crowd on Saturday, Beresh said he will launch an investigation into whether Sherman has been the subject of a conspiracy to silence and discredit him.
"I will immediately commence an investigation in the past 30 days to see if there is a conspiracy against my client."
Beresh demanded an apology and asked anyone who has maligned Sherman's reputation to retract their statements.
"[Sherman] feels that some individuals in this system in which he has been operating as a representative of the people have not played by the rules," Beresh said as cheers rose up from the crowd.
"Dr. Sherman believes that our health-care system belongs to the people of this province and that any government in power is simply its trustee or guardian. That health-care system is funded by the people and it is a system that is for the people. It is not the property of Premier Stelmach or the Conservative government. It is not funded from the Stelmach piggy bank, it is funded by you and me."
Beresh said the province's health-care system is in a "crisis situation."
As Beresh wrapped up his remarks and Sherman took to the stage, cheers erupted from the crowd. One person could be heard shouting, "We've got your back, Raj."
He told the crowd the current situation is simply unacceptable.
"There's nothing more unfortunate than being in the wealthiest province in the wealthiest country on this planet, sitting in a waiting room five metres from care and you're having a heart attack and you have to wait about five, six hours," he said.
Sherman said he felt compelled to tell the truth about the problems he sees within the system, despite the political backlash he has faced.
"Partisan politics collided with the values — with Albertan values actually, and Canadian values — of a very honourable medical profession [to tell the truth] ... and partisan politics won."
No privatization agenda
In another development, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky issued a written statement in response to the rally.
"An open, honest discussion about how we can improve our publicly funded health-care system is always welcome. The discussion has to focus on putting the needs of patients first and the actions required to achieve that," the statement read.
"Our government and Alberta Health Services have rolled out the most comprehensive and ambitious health-care plan in Canada. It focuses on what Albertans want: better access, shorter wait times and safe, quality care."
The statement went on to say, "Let me be clear: there is no 'agenda' to privatize Alberta’s health system.
"The new Alberta Health Act makes no changes to our existing provincial health-care legislation. Our government has committed to do exactly what Albertans asked, and that is to consult with them if, and when, we want to consider any changes to existing health-care legislation."
Zwozdesky said the government's only agenda is creating the "best-performing, public funded health-care system in Canada."
CTV Edmonton
"This rally is to send the message that the vast majority of Albertans want their health care publicly funded and delivered, and that this essential service should not be compromised by ideology, lobbying by health business interests, and internal political squabbling," said David Eggen, the organization's executive director, in a press release.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Edmonton Sun
The Tory government vows reduced wait times for emergency department visits and surgeries as it lays out an aggressive five-year plan for health care in Alberta.
But critics charge the long-awaited document was released Tuesday to act as a diversion from recent health-care controversies.
There were also questions around what happens if the new targets are not met.
Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said the five-year "action plan" gives Albertans "clear direction of what they can expect from the health-care system."
"We've heard from Albertans right across the province, and from caregivers and numerous others, and today we're sharing with you actions in response to what we heard," Zwozdesky told a news conference.
He stressed it "puts people and patients ahead of everything else."
The document lays out specific short- and long-term targets in a number of health care-related areas.
For example, the province vows faster treatment in Alberta's emergency departments as well as reductions in wait times for surgeries and cancer treatments.
"It means Albertan will spend less time in emergency departments and they will have improved access to mental health services, and the list goes on," Zwozdesky said.
"It means, Albertans in the end will be healthier, happier and will have a much better quality of life going forward."
Zwozdesky said the goals will be met by adding more hospital beds, performing more surgeries and implementing new emergency room protocols, among other things.
But NDP Leader Brian Mason said the plan was released this week to divert attention from recent health-care controversies.
That includes the departure of Stephen Duckett, head of Alberta Health Services, as well as at least four board members.
He also pointed to a leaked document critics say lays out the government's plan to bring in more privatized health care.
"It's a diversion and an attempt to try and provide some camouflage for the government," Mason said.
Zwozdesky refuted the charge, adding this plan has been in the works for months.
"I would have preferred to have this out a month and a half, two months ago, but there were events that unfolded" that delayed its release, Zwozdesky said.
He said that included the departure of maverick MLA Raj Sherman from caucus, and the fallout.
Liberal Leader David Swann said he welcomes the addition of specific benchmarks and measures in the health system.
"The question is where have they been?" he asked.
Swann also called for "real accountability" should the new goals not be met.
Dr. Chris Eagle, acting president and CEO of Alberta Health Services, said his job is to make sure the targets are met.
He said there's a plan to empower local hospital officials to make more decisions.
David Eggen, with Friends of Medicare, warned that without hiring significantly more staff, it will be impossible to meet the goals.
frank.landry@sunmedia.ca
But critics charge the long-awaited document was released Tuesday to act as a diversion from recent health-care controversies.
There were also questions around what happens if the new targets are not met.
Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said the five-year "action plan" gives Albertans "clear direction of what they can expect from the health-care system."
"We've heard from Albertans right across the province, and from caregivers and numerous others, and today we're sharing with you actions in response to what we heard," Zwozdesky told a news conference.
He stressed it "puts people and patients ahead of everything else."
The document lays out specific short- and long-term targets in a number of health care-related areas.
For example, the province vows faster treatment in Alberta's emergency departments as well as reductions in wait times for surgeries and cancer treatments.
"It means Albertan will spend less time in emergency departments and they will have improved access to mental health services, and the list goes on," Zwozdesky said.
"It means, Albertans in the end will be healthier, happier and will have a much better quality of life going forward."
Zwozdesky said the goals will be met by adding more hospital beds, performing more surgeries and implementing new emergency room protocols, among other things.
But NDP Leader Brian Mason said the plan was released this week to divert attention from recent health-care controversies.
That includes the departure of Stephen Duckett, head of Alberta Health Services, as well as at least four board members.
He also pointed to a leaked document critics say lays out the government's plan to bring in more privatized health care.
"It's a diversion and an attempt to try and provide some camouflage for the government," Mason said.
Zwozdesky refuted the charge, adding this plan has been in the works for months.
"I would have preferred to have this out a month and a half, two months ago, but there were events that unfolded" that delayed its release, Zwozdesky said.
He said that included the departure of maverick MLA Raj Sherman from caucus, and the fallout.
Liberal Leader David Swann said he welcomes the addition of specific benchmarks and measures in the health system.
"The question is where have they been?" he asked.
Swann also called for "real accountability" should the new goals not be met.
Dr. Chris Eagle, acting president and CEO of Alberta Health Services, said his job is to make sure the targets are met.
He said there's a plan to empower local hospital officials to make more decisions.
David Eggen, with Friends of Medicare, warned that without hiring significantly more staff, it will be impossible to meet the goals.
frank.landry@sunmedia.ca
While a new hospice at the Peter Lougheed Centre is being applauded, some health care advocates say the province needs to do more as Calgary's population ages.
The Santuari Hospice opened on Monday with 20 beds for end-of-life care to patients and families. This increases the number of hospice beds from 88 to 108 across seven facilities in Calgary.
"This meets our population health needs for the next two years," said Dr. Francois Belanger, medical director for Calgary. "It's about patient care and the right patient, the right bed, the right provider and the right time."
Sarah Walker, Hospice Calgary executive director, said she's glad to see the northeast get the unit as there are no hospices in that part of the city. However, she noted that as Calgary's population ages there needs to be other alternatives for those facing end-of-life care.
"Many people would like to stay at home but it's an option they might never have either because they don't have family who can help or the nature of their disease or pain management is too much," said Walker, who is also on the board for the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association.
"We have to strengthen the care people can get at home so they can stay at home."
David Eggen, Friends of Medicare Alberta executive director, noted it's good Alberta added hospice care beds to the system but the province can't afford to stop there.
"The government needs to carry on and invest in public facilities in general and use them for different purposes as the population demands it," said Eggen. "They can use the hospice now and maybe it could serve as something else in the future as our population grows and continues to grow."
Jana Ambrogiana, local director of palliative and end-of-life care, said the Santuari Hospice is the first hospice in an operational hospital for Calgary. Other facilities are based in residential areas around the city.
"Patients here come from across the Calgary zone," explained Ambrogiana. "They come from a variety of settings: homes, acute care and from long-term care settings."
The 20 hospice beds are already making an impact by freeing up 15 acute care beds, said medical director Belanger.
He explained hospice patients waiting for a bed are no longer taking up space in acute care and backing up emergency departments. As well, 32 transition beds are being opened at the Peter Lougheed Centre to further take the pressure off emergency rooms.
"We're working hard on our overcapacity plan on a daily basis," said Belanger. "We're very pleased in terms of that."
Meanwhile, Betty Ryan is one example of how the Santuari Hospice is already helping to clear acute care beds.
Ryan, 82, is suffering from end stage Parkinson's disease and was in the Lougheed acute care unit for six-weeks until being moved to the hospice on Monday.
Her husband of 58 years said he's pleased with the standard of care at Santuari -- which means sanctuary in the Catalan language.
"It couldn't be any better," said Lloyd Ryan, 85.
"This is really nice. All are so friendly and it makes it easy because it makes it just like home."
lstorry@calgaryherald.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
The Santuari Hospice opened on Monday with 20 beds for end-of-life care to patients and families. This increases the number of hospice beds from 88 to 108 across seven facilities in Calgary.
"This meets our population health needs for the next two years," said Dr. Francois Belanger, medical director for Calgary. "It's about patient care and the right patient, the right bed, the right provider and the right time."
Sarah Walker, Hospice Calgary executive director, said she's glad to see the northeast get the unit as there are no hospices in that part of the city. However, she noted that as Calgary's population ages there needs to be other alternatives for those facing end-of-life care.
"Many people would like to stay at home but it's an option they might never have either because they don't have family who can help or the nature of their disease or pain management is too much," said Walker, who is also on the board for the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association.
"We have to strengthen the care people can get at home so they can stay at home."
David Eggen, Friends of Medicare Alberta executive director, noted it's good Alberta added hospice care beds to the system but the province can't afford to stop there.
"The government needs to carry on and invest in public facilities in general and use them for different purposes as the population demands it," said Eggen. "They can use the hospice now and maybe it could serve as something else in the future as our population grows and continues to grow."
Jana Ambrogiana, local director of palliative and end-of-life care, said the Santuari Hospice is the first hospice in an operational hospital for Calgary. Other facilities are based in residential areas around the city.
"Patients here come from across the Calgary zone," explained Ambrogiana. "They come from a variety of settings: homes, acute care and from long-term care settings."
The 20 hospice beds are already making an impact by freeing up 15 acute care beds, said medical director Belanger.
He explained hospice patients waiting for a bed are no longer taking up space in acute care and backing up emergency departments. As well, 32 transition beds are being opened at the Peter Lougheed Centre to further take the pressure off emergency rooms.
"We're working hard on our overcapacity plan on a daily basis," said Belanger. "We're very pleased in terms of that."
Meanwhile, Betty Ryan is one example of how the Santuari Hospice is already helping to clear acute care beds.
Ryan, 82, is suffering from end stage Parkinson's disease and was in the Lougheed acute care unit for six-weeks until being moved to the hospice on Monday.
Her husband of 58 years said he's pleased with the standard of care at Santuari -- which means sanctuary in the Catalan language.
"It couldn't be any better," said Lloyd Ryan, 85.
"This is really nice. All are so friendly and it makes it easy because it makes it just like home."
lstorry@calgaryherald.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
Fast Forward Calgary
Heading for privatized health care: critics
Leaked document hints at two-tiered system
Published December 2, 2010 by Trevor Scott Howell in News
A rogue Conservative MLA hell-bent on exposing the failings of Alberta’s health-care system. A cookie-loving, media-shy health board CEO summarily turfed amongst accusations of political interference. A leaked government document hints at opening the door to privatized health care.
This was arguably the worst fall session in the Alberta legislature for the ruling Progressive Conservative party, which spent much of the past few weeks on the ropes ducking, dodging and getting flat-out hammered over its handling of the health portfolio.
Last month Alberta Health Services released a report showing emergency room wait times failed to meet national targets. That was followed by Edmonton-Meadowlark MLA Raj Sherman’s very public criticisms of AHS and former health minister Ron Liepert — landing Sherman outside of the PC caucus with his mental stability questioned by former colleagues.
Then, a government PowerPoint presentation outlining a roadmap for Alberta’s future health-care system was leaked to the Alberta Liberal party. This July 12, 2010 document, Alberta’s Health Legislation: Moving Forward, calls for new legislation that will “enable the government to consider benefit models that go further than the current, narrow scope and explore other funding models (for example, insurance and cost-savings accounts).”
“It flies in the face of what the premier has been saying repeatedly since the last election,” says Opposition Liberal Leader Dr. David Swann, shortly after releasing the 27-page document dropped off at the Liberal party’s Edmonton offices by a “concerned citizen.”
“I think many Albertans are rightly upset that a premier that talks about transparency and accountability is still behind the scenes talking about privatized and two-tiered private insurance and de-listing of services,” he says.
Phase 1 of the report details public-confidence building, focus groups feedback and regional consultations. It calls the province’s health system “highly complex and confusing.”
Public consultations over the Alberta Health Act showed a “high level of skepticism and fear” from Albertans, it notes. Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky is downplaying the document. “The particular document you’re referring to was simply a reflection of many opinions given by many Albertans and what they thought should happen.”
Sections within that document clearly violate the Canada Health Act and Alberta legislation and would not be supported or enacted, he says.
But the public has a right to be skeptical, especially when the government has “laid out in black-and-white” what its plans are, says David Eggen, executive director for the Friends of Medicare.
Zwozdesky’s explanation is “absolute nonsense,” says Eggen.
“This is a document that outlines the government’s position,” he says. “It clearly outlines the idea to use Bill 17, the Alberta Health Act, as enabling legislation to consolidate and to modify other laws that protect our public health system.”
Phase 2 of the report suggests medical providers could work in both the public and private system. It also recommends a “policy shift” that would “consider private insurance options for limited health services” because “prohibiting private insurance limits choice in accessing publicly funded health services within Alberta.”
It also states “…there is no evidence that private insurance negatively impacts a public health system.”
Diana Gibson, research director for the Parkland Institute, says studies suggest privatizing health care increases costs and leaves many who can’t afford private insurance out in the cold.
“It won’t improve service,” she says. “We have a finite, limited system capacity right now. So if you introduce private funding all you do is shuffle that deck so that some people get quicker access, which means longer waits for the people left.”
“As soon as you allow private insurance then you allow queue jumping and an elite two-tiered health-care system for publicly funded services,” says Gibson. “The fundamental tenant of our health care has been accessible, affordable, equity… access by need, not ability to pay.”
Meanwhile, Zwozdesky and acting AHS CEO Dr. Chris Eagle, who are hoping to pull the health fiasco out of its tailspin, announced a new health plan on November 30.
Becoming the Best: Alberta’s 5-year Health Action Plan, jointly created by Alberta Health and Wellness and AHS, promises to add 360 new hospital beds and 3,000 continuing care spaces, increase surgeries and reduce wait times.
The new plan is backed by a five-year funding guarantee, with AHS’ current operating budget increasing to $11.1 billion from $9 billion by 2015.
“It’s time for more action and this plan is the most aggressive and the most ambitious plan of any province with respect to health-care improvements in Canada,” says Zwozdesky.
Leaked document hints at two-tiered system
Published December 2, 2010 by Trevor Scott Howell in News
A rogue Conservative MLA hell-bent on exposing the failings of Alberta’s health-care system. A cookie-loving, media-shy health board CEO summarily turfed amongst accusations of political interference. A leaked government document hints at opening the door to privatized health care.
This was arguably the worst fall session in the Alberta legislature for the ruling Progressive Conservative party, which spent much of the past few weeks on the ropes ducking, dodging and getting flat-out hammered over its handling of the health portfolio.
Last month Alberta Health Services released a report showing emergency room wait times failed to meet national targets. That was followed by Edmonton-Meadowlark MLA Raj Sherman’s very public criticisms of AHS and former health minister Ron Liepert — landing Sherman outside of the PC caucus with his mental stability questioned by former colleagues.
Then, a government PowerPoint presentation outlining a roadmap for Alberta’s future health-care system was leaked to the Alberta Liberal party. This July 12, 2010 document, Alberta’s Health Legislation: Moving Forward, calls for new legislation that will “enable the government to consider benefit models that go further than the current, narrow scope and explore other funding models (for example, insurance and cost-savings accounts).”
“It flies in the face of what the premier has been saying repeatedly since the last election,” says Opposition Liberal Leader Dr. David Swann, shortly after releasing the 27-page document dropped off at the Liberal party’s Edmonton offices by a “concerned citizen.”
“I think many Albertans are rightly upset that a premier that talks about transparency and accountability is still behind the scenes talking about privatized and two-tiered private insurance and de-listing of services,” he says.
Phase 1 of the report details public-confidence building, focus groups feedback and regional consultations. It calls the province’s health system “highly complex and confusing.”
Public consultations over the Alberta Health Act showed a “high level of skepticism and fear” from Albertans, it notes. Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky is downplaying the document. “The particular document you’re referring to was simply a reflection of many opinions given by many Albertans and what they thought should happen.”
Sections within that document clearly violate the Canada Health Act and Alberta legislation and would not be supported or enacted, he says.
But the public has a right to be skeptical, especially when the government has “laid out in black-and-white” what its plans are, says David Eggen, executive director for the Friends of Medicare.
Zwozdesky’s explanation is “absolute nonsense,” says Eggen.
“This is a document that outlines the government’s position,” he says. “It clearly outlines the idea to use Bill 17, the Alberta Health Act, as enabling legislation to consolidate and to modify other laws that protect our public health system.”
Phase 2 of the report suggests medical providers could work in both the public and private system. It also recommends a “policy shift” that would “consider private insurance options for limited health services” because “prohibiting private insurance limits choice in accessing publicly funded health services within Alberta.”
It also states “…there is no evidence that private insurance negatively impacts a public health system.”
Diana Gibson, research director for the Parkland Institute, says studies suggest privatizing health care increases costs and leaves many who can’t afford private insurance out in the cold.
“It won’t improve service,” she says. “We have a finite, limited system capacity right now. So if you introduce private funding all you do is shuffle that deck so that some people get quicker access, which means longer waits for the people left.”
“As soon as you allow private insurance then you allow queue jumping and an elite two-tiered health-care system for publicly funded services,” says Gibson. “The fundamental tenant of our health care has been accessible, affordable, equity… access by need, not ability to pay.”
Meanwhile, Zwozdesky and acting AHS CEO Dr. Chris Eagle, who are hoping to pull the health fiasco out of its tailspin, announced a new health plan on November 30.
Becoming the Best: Alberta’s 5-year Health Action Plan, jointly created by Alberta Health and Wellness and AHS, promises to add 360 new hospital beds and 3,000 continuing care spaces, increase surgeries and reduce wait times.
The new plan is backed by a five-year funding guarantee, with AHS’ current operating budget increasing to $11.1 billion from $9 billion by 2015.
“It’s time for more action and this plan is the most aggressive and the most ambitious plan of any province with respect to health-care improvements in Canada,” says Zwozdesky.
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