Gentlemen, what a disgrace!
In the past, whenever I communicated my concerns re: the status of the management of health care in rural Alberta, I used a " blunderbuss" approach. In evaluating the results of these previous efforts, I’ve come to the conclusion that the dissatisfaction I’ve experienced may be caused by a couple of things. One being that the scattered approach provides too many opportunities for the Alberta politicians to hide behind all types of excuses or perhaps more than one idea at a time complicates the thinking process of the "commissars" and their servants!
We have some wonderful health care facilities in the cities of Edmonton and Calgary which provide a very high standard of care for all Albertans. Those of us living in rural Alberta by choice know that we are disadvantaged and that we bear an extra burden when we have to travel to the cities for specific treatments. It would be unrealistic to have a Mazankowski or Cross Cancer type facility in every rural community. However, it is equally unrealistic for the Government of Alberta and its bureaucracy to go on believing that by having someone sitting in an office in one of these cities is the best way of managing the health care facilities of rural Alberta. The Klein government severely wounded the management of health care in rural Alberta when they annihilated all local hospital boards. What has been most frustrating is the failure of subsequent governments and the electorate to correct this most blatant attack on the democratic rights of rural Albertans.
I believe that the Alberta media have generally provided an excellent portrait of the dismal failure of health care management (or should that read mis-management) under the many shapes of bureaucracy foisted upon us since the early 1990's.
I wish to state from the very onset that these concerns are in no way directed towards any health care worker in the community. I marvel at their ability to provide a high standard of care when faced with the inefficiencies of Alberta Health Services.
The first photo is of the "tent" that has been pitched since April 23, 2011, in the centre of the cafeteria at the St. Paul Health Care Centre. The purpose of the "tent" is to enclose a " catch-funnel" for the water leaking through the ceiling! The apparent lack of action on carrying out suitable repairs appears to be that the decision-making process has not "flowed," or should that read "seeped," through all the levels of decision-making yet! I have to assume that AHS believes that water seepage does not dare cause mold in a health care facility!
The second photo tells the story of the cement walks at the main entrances of this same facility. When coming to the hospital in St. Paul, remember the advice given to tourists visiting Third World countries: "Watch your step for all kinds of obstacles lie in your path!" It is obvious that the Minister of Infrastructure does not play favorites since this is happening in his constituency.
Shame on all of us for allowing this to continue!
Paul E. Boisvert
A disillusioned Rural Albertan
