Public to Private to Public?

Alberta’s medical laboratories have gone from public, to private, and back to public in less than one year. What has this back and forth action cost Albertans? This and other questions are explored in this CBC report.

Short on Time?

Image from pixy.org

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.

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.”

Did You Miss This Article?

If you have not read Dr. Gabriel Fabreau’s opinion piece found in the June 4, 2022, Calgary Herald, you will want to do so. Among other things, Dr. Fabreau provides an honest view of what it is like in Alberta hospitals. According to him, “After two years of COVID-19, our hospitals have never been worse off.”

Take a few minutes to read this important article. It will be time well spent.

How Many More?

How many more doctors in Alberta are going to be sending their patients a similar letter as the one Brenda recieved?

Restraints as a Last Resort

“There’s a new provincial policy soon to be released in Alberta, ‘Restraint as a Last Resort,’ that will limit use of restraints to the least restrictive, as a last resort. There is a belief that lap belts in chairs keeps people safe (they fasten from behind), but the experience of being restrained is distressing – and can actually lead to more injurious falls and increased antipsychotic use. In addition, the restrained person can’t get to the bathroom, and may experience skin breakdown, loss of muscle strength, loss of independence and delirium (an acute brain injury).” Verdeen Bueckert, Practice Lead with the Seniors Health Clinical Network

Click here to read how an orthopedic team in Alberta reduced the use of restraints by 84%!

Have Your Say

Do you have some thoughts and ideas of how the healthcare system in Alberta could be improved? Do you have a vision of healthcare that you would like to see become a reality? If so, Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health are wanting to hear from you.

The goal is to co-design and co-deliver a sustainable, quality health system, one that promotes healthy communities and provides access to services, programs and facilities.

From fall 2016 to fall 2017, the focus is on Calgary Zone and Central Zone long range planning. This follows planning undertaken in the Edmonton Zone, which is ongoing; the province’s North and South Zone planning will follow.

Join the conversation. Share your ideas and help us develop a vision for health services in 15 years that informs decisions today. Planning for each zone will be incorporated into system planning for the province. All Albertans are encouraged to contribute to the discussions.

Click here to continue.