By Michael Cormican
RE: Stelmach administration continues push to eliminate elected school boards, Alberta Liberal Caucus Release
This is worth giving serious thought since it has been history since the last Provincial Election what the Alberta Government did with the Health Authorities; did away with them. If you have not read Naomi Klein’s book ‘Shock Doctrine’ it would be well-worth the time since she outlines what the Republicans have done in the US too and it’s all history now too. Is that what we want for health and education. I can give you the bare facts what they have done not only in Lethbridge area but across the Province in health since the ’70s. As of last year compared to 1973 hospital beds have been cut from 1:200 to 1:580 as of last year. They continue to mouth about costs supposedly “escalating … unsustainable etc”; yet where’s their answer to almost a billion dollars unaccounted for in health care? Thanks to the Auditor General for bringing it to our attention. A billion would sure care for a lot of people by paying for salaries and other needs.
Long and short, I and independent experts have stats that knock their contention taken from the same reports they use to try scaring us and unfortunately it works with some people. Consistently over the past 40 years, Health Care in Canada has been almost half that in the US of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) 8% to 15.5% respectively. See where it has got the US. From 1981 to 2007 it had only increased in Canada from 5.25% approx of the GDP to just about 7%. We must remember how much more sophisticated health delivery has become over those years and so well it should since we want and expect the best especially when it comes to matters of life and death and it is not much different for Alberta. Issues that affect costs from Province-to-Province is degree or level of sophistication i.e. specialized centers in some Provinces that are expected/relied on to provide for others or areas of others closer to the neighboring center of excellence; and so well it should be. Such practice is part of the reason for “Confederation”.
As some of you will realize from news today the government has created the conditions that are now called “crisis” as in the area of ER (Emergency Care). people are backed up there because beds in more appropriate areas of the system are not available to move people into. Longterm care has been down-graded. I have heard from several with experiences of inadequate care to their loved ones and which is quite understandable to me having worked in it. However, one does not have to be a rocket scientist to realize when the staff to patient care is 1:10 in DALs (Designated Assisted Living) the average max of care each patient can receive is 5minutes per hour allowing the 10 difference to add up to an hour for reports, getting from room-to-room, eating, personal breaks, dealing with family, physicians and others and writing reports. Let’s think about it; in an 8 hr. day that would be approximately thirty five (35) minutes total to get the person up, assist in personal care, feed, wash etc. What about the person needing the most attention i.e. lift out of bed etc? No wonder some people get less care as reported by families, latest being today. Obviously the average level of care needed has got to be greatly increased. Is that the way you want to end your days. Some things that will help i.e. increase staff, get rid of wanton waste, bonuses and manage the system. health and education were never meant to be a business. Sure apply business principles as best we can but let’s remember that we are dealing with people at the vulnerable stages of life; first to prepare them as best we can for life ahead and then assisting them to continue in dignity as life draws to a close.
Some of us may sound like broken records and nay sayers but everything we have predicted has come true to date. Don’t let it happen in education too. Speak-up; talk to your MLA and discuss your concerns with them and ensure they have your concerns in writing as well as the opposition to ensure they are accountable.
