tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post8259420093569871007..comments2023-09-22T06:22:50.820-06:00Comments on Ken Chapman: Will There be Big Changes in the Alberta Health System?kenchapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11384045981190810115noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-45564501421359475042007-07-27T16:44:00.000-06:002007-07-27T16:44:00.000-06:00Ken you are correct the REACTION of the government...Ken you are correct the REACTION of the government is adequate. It is the ACTION of Klein/Stelmach that precipitated the crisis that is the greater concern. The government created the crisis and is now scrambling to contain it. The events leading up to the crisis lead me to believe that the Tory party is tired and incapable of vision. <BR/><BR/>However, the Tories seem to excel at crisis and media management. Too bad the federal Liberals are not in power. The Tories usually blame their crises on the Ottawa Liberals. Not having that scapegoat seems to be causing Stelmach some problems. <BR/><BR/>The Tories can't keep putting lipstick on the pig and hope that Albertans don't notice.<BR/><BR/>Elected RHAs were a dumb idea that the Tories included in their '97 campaign platform. At the time though, the Reform Party was pushing for more representation and it spilled over onto the Alberta Tory platform. It was a political tool to distance klein from closing hospitals blowback. He blamed the RHAs for cutbacks in health and Klein dodged blame. Asa political tool they are spent. Time to get rid of them and have one province wide RHA (called the Department of Health)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-25277709673416372922007-07-27T15:23:00.000-06:002007-07-27T15:23:00.000-06:00anon @2:23 - as I recall the GOA tried to avoid ha...anon @2:23 - as I recall the GOA tried to avoid having elected members on RHAs but reluctantly agreed and changed their mends again later.<BR/><BR/>As for responsiveness I think the immediate closing of the a portion of the Vegreville hospital last January when the issue came to the awareness of the GOA was pretty responsive. <BR/><BR/>Then ordering a thorough independent review of all the hospitals and clinic in the East Central Region and promptly releasing the report and taking immediate steps to put that entire RHA system under direct government administration is pretty decisive. <BR/><BR/>Further ordering an update from every other RHA in Alberta on the issues uncovered in Vegreville with a tight time frame to respond is pretty decisive.<BR/><BR/>What still disturbs me is the amount of time it is taking to get all the former patients who may have been put at some risk in for testing...there is apparently a whole bunch that have not been tested yet. Are they unaware, unconcerned or is the system unresponsive to their needs?kenchapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11384045981190810115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-40271777663322926872007-07-27T14:23:00.000-06:002007-07-27T14:23:00.000-06:00The purpose of RHAs is to devolve responsibilty an...The purpose of RHAs is to devolve responsibilty and accountability away from the government. The government tried to have elected RHA members but got rid of them when they exercised independent thought and judgment. Appointees are more maleable.<BR/><BR/>The Tories have done a dismal job of healthcare at the macro level. Klein's cuts with no plan have hurt the system for more than a decade. Vegreville is an example of lack of oversight and confusing jurisdiction.<BR/><BR/>At some point the Tories have to accept responsibility and not in the lame way that Hancock did it (by firing the Tory hacks on the RHA board). Hancock and crew should look in the mitrror for this mess they have made.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com