Category Archives: Initiatives

Add your voice – Friends of Medicare

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Alberta has passed Bill 11, which allows for a two-tier healthcare system to exist. The result will see people with the necessary finances paying to jump the healthcare queue while those without such monetary resources waiting longer for their medical care.

With this reality taking shape in Alberta, the potential is that other provinces might follow suit.  To prevent this from happening, please consider sending this letter to Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel asking her to enforce the Canada Health Act.

AISH to ADAP: What does it mean?

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The transition from AISH to ADAP is happening in July. In this article, Michael Franklin explains what this means to many Albertans. 

“‘When we move onto ADAP, what’s going to happen is that ADAP clients are now going to be $725 below the poverty line. It’s going to push people deeper into poverty.'”

Alberta –  Dual practice medical model for several surgeries

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THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

In September, Alberta will be going to a dual practice medical model. This will allow doctors to bill surgeries to both public and private systems. The claim is that this dual system will reduce surgical wait times for patients. Will it?

If you have not read Stephen Hunt’s article, you may wish to do so.

MAID: 10-years in Canada

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“‘We keep thinking that it’s all about death, but it isn’t. It’s about life.'”

This article looks at different perspectives surrounding MAID.

Canada’s first public dementia-inclusive park to open in Calgary

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Conceptual design of the dementia-inclusive park.PHOTO SUPPLIED: CALGARY PARK FOUNDATION

“The Martin Family Legacy Garden hopes to create a sense of belonging for all who join the space, keeping inclusivity and support at the forefront. The hope is that the park will act as an inspiration for other projects by promoting thoughtful design and accessibility.”

https://calgaryjournal.ca/2026/04/12/canadas-first-public-dementia-inclusive-park-projected-to-open-in-calgary-in-fall/

As Food Prices Climb, Dispatches from the Aisles | The Tyee

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“‘Food insecurity cannot be addressed with food. It must be addressed via income….We can’t ‘food bank’ our way out of food insecurity, we can’t ‘decrease food waste’ our way out of food insecurity, we can’t ‘smart shopping’ our way out of food insecurity.'”

Click here to read this Tyee article.

Will other hospitals do the same?

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Photo by    www.kaboompics.com: https://www.pexels.com/photo/plush-toy-in-top-of-blankets-4886897/

If you are in an emergency room on Vancouver Island and see carts being wheeled around filled with items such as blankets, neck pillows, and stuffed animals, you are probably in one of urgent care facilities that are implementing “Comfort Carts.” The single-use items on the cart are given to seniors as way to help individuals feel more comfortable as they wait to receive healthcare. “‘And gosh, does it ever feel good when you see the smile on a senior’s face, or the comfort, that look of relief when you ­provide those kinds of items to a senior in distress.'”

Click here to read more about this initiative.

Join the Conversation

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What are you doing on Sunday, January 25th at 7:00 p.m.? If you live in Cochrane or area, please consider joining Dr. Parks in a conversation about healthcare.

https://www.friendsofmedicare.org/health_care_cochrane

How to Cure Jammed ERs?

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“‘We have 30 or more (patients) leaving every day who just get tired of the wait. When we have these type of waits or backlogs happen in airports, there’s federal policy and quick rules and things are changed. When we have it in health care, we just shrug our shoulders.'” https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/royal-alexandra-hospital-pilot-projects-emergency-department

Exciting Preventative Medicine Initiative

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@thegrittynursepodcast

The math finally adds up: It’s cheaper to pay for rent than for an ER bed. 📉🏥 Toronto’s UHN is launching a $1 million fund to prove that housing is a clinical intervention. When 100 patients account for 4,300+ ER visits, the system is broken. By providing stable housing, we aren’t just saving lives—we’re saving the healthcare system millions. Led by Dr. Andrew Boozary and the Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine, this program treats housing as a “social determinant of health.” By preventing evictions and providing stable homes, UHN is reducing ER overcrowding and improving long-term recovery for the city’s most vulnerable. This video breaks down why prescribing housing is the most cost-effective way to fix the Ontario healthcare system. 🇨🇦 Is “Social Medicine” the future of Canada? Let’s talk below. 👇 #toronto #housing #health #healthcare #fyp @Andrew Boozary MD @University Health Network

♬ original sound – The Gritty Nurse (Amie Varley)