| Document outlines health facility closures | |||
| Health Sciences Association of Alberta obtained a leaked Alberta Health Services (AHS) letter outlining rural hospital closures. In a March 31, 2009 newsletter to medical staff, AHS’s Brain Inglis outlined plans to downgrade hospitals in Rimbey, Ponoka, Lacombe, Innisfail, Castor, Coronation, Consort, Sundre, Three Hills and Hanna to Urgent Care Centres. The correspondence also lists plans to close long-term care centres in Bentley, Trochu and Brenton, along with health centres in Trochu and Castor. The March 31 correspondence was sent out one week after the arrival of new AHS CEO, Dr. Stephen Duckett, the timing of which suggests "these marching orders came directly from the Stelmach government and Health Minister Ron Liepert". said Elisabeth Ballermann, president of the Health Services Association of Alberta. According to the Provincial Service Optimization review commissioned by Alberta Health and Wellness, merging of services in rural areas would be pursued, however, there has been little information as to how these mergers might take place. "Certainly, there must be similar plans in place for other regions in the province. Albertans want to see the plan for the health facility that serves their community," says David Eggen, Executive Director for Friends of Medicare. "No one wants to wake up one day this summer and find out their hospital is scheduled for closure." Friends of Medicare has also learned that Alberta Health Services will be announcing significant budget cuts in July. For more information contact David Eggen, Friends of Medicare at 780-887-0446. |
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