In this TikTok video, “Boots on the Ground” looks at the state of healthcare in Alberta as the provincial government privatizes healthcare. He describes what is happening in Alberta as “playing politics with healthcare” and notes that the outcome can be people getting hurt and/or dying.
Category Archives: Initiatives
Alberta’s ‘compassionate’ drug-policy
In this article, Donna Kennedy-Glans describes what she learned when she sat down with Dan Williams, Alberta’s mental health and addiction minister, to discuss Alberta’s “compassionate” drug plan. “The aim is to not just reduce the harm caused by drugs but to create the conditions for addicts to recover. In doing so, he [Williams] and others are helping to redefine what it means to be compassionate.”
All goes goes into effect on September 1, 2024. Are we ready?
“Profitizing” Healthcare?
In this episode of “The Breakdown,” Nate and Chris engage in a conversation about the new model of urgent care that is being proposed for Airdrie, Alberta. If you have not already seen this video, you may wish to take the time to do so.
Private, for profit acute healthcare comes to Alberta?
If you have not had the opportunity to watch this episode of “The Breakdown,” you may wish to do so.
Short on Time?
Even if you are scrambling to get everything done on your To-Do List and think you cannot possibly do another thing, please consider taking a few minutes to read this article by David Climenhaga. It will be time well spent.
A hefty harvest for the Calgary Food Bank
Tuesday, September 26th saw retirees from TransAlta harvesting what is likely to be a record-breaking yield. All of the produce will be donated to the Calgary Food Bank.
According to Fred Ritter, coordinator of the Get Growing Garden project, “‘It becomes more satisfying that we can play a part and help the needy folks, given the rising cost of food and so on, and folks out there struggling to put food on the table.'”
Click here to read the full story.
‘Everyone’s Someone’ to Me
In Alberta, there is much discussion taking place concerning addiction, overdose and treatment. Part of the reason for this because of how the provincial government has chosen to address these issues.
Not surprisingly, many people are not in favour of the direction the government is taking. One of these individuals is Bonnie Larson, a doctor who has worked with people experiencing homelessness for 15 years.
According to Larson, “Alberta’s model is unique in that it excludes harm reduction from the continuum of care. As such, it is a system akin to an extension ladder that is missing the first 10 feet of rungs. Lacking entry-level steps that meet people where they are with non-judgmental care, patient-centredness and barrier-busting pragmatism, the ROSC ladder is impossible for most to even mount, let alone climb.”
Please consider reading Larson’s article, “They’ll Always Be Everyone’s Someone to Me.” It is time well spent.
How to Fix Healthcare?
Healthcare is a concern for many people. In this X thread, Dr. Meddings identifies what is needed to improve healthcare in Alberta. According to him, “[t]here is nothing magical about how to fix our healthcare system. There is no ‘private’ in here and it is all currently doable given political will.”
OK, guess I'm grumpy these days. Here is a short thread on what Alberta needs to do to fix healthcare. If I were to give a title? Perhaps "It's Not Hard. Really."
— Jon Meddings (@JMeddings) August 18, 2023
This is inspired by the Manitoba Doctors recommendations – they get this right. https://t.co/ydTZFN7ra6
Without OB Services
What is it like to have no access to obstetric services? Join this discussion to find out.
There is a small grassroots organization in rural Alberta that is trying to improve access to OB care in their communities. Here is the information for their next meeting-community leaders are encouraged to join and listen to what living without access OB services is like. pic.twitter.com/fCcEqvctPC
— Andrea Dekeseredy (@AndieYEG) June 26, 2023
