The United Nurses of Alberta are welcoming Health & Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky to his new job.
"Nurses are hoping that this Minister can do better than his predecessors by making actual improvements to how public health care is delivered in Alberta," said President Heather Smith.
Under previous Ministers, the PC Government has shown a lack of leadership in dealing with the challenges facing our public health care system, seniors' care, and mental health care in this province," said Heather Smith, "all of which are being steered down the wrong road, the wrong way."
In the past year, cost cutting has resulted in the loss of hundreds of nursing positions, the closure of at least 300 hospital beds and many other service reductions province-wide.
"Albertans cannot afford to have our essential health services reduced and then reduced more," says Heather Smith. "The waits and frustration are growing, and we expect the Minister to pay close attention to Albertans' concerns."
Despite the "pause" announced by Premier Ed Stelmach, planning is proceeding for the closure of most of the beds at the province's largest mental health facility. The attack on the mental health services provided by staff at Alberta Hospital Edmonton is one example of cuts to public health care since the creation of Alberta Health Services in 2008.
The new minister faces a considerable challenge to undo the damage.
"There will be costs involved in repairing the damage that's been done, but the Minister has no choice but to provide the health services citizens expect, deserve, and depend on," Heather Smith says.
UNA is requesting a meeting with the Minister to discuss concerns about the health cuts and changes.
"We want to meet as soon as possible with Minister Zwozdesky to discuss the urgent issues facing health care. Good and timely care for our patients is nurses' top concern and we want to talk about improvements that our system urgently needs," says Heather Smith. |
