UNA urges AHS CEO to protect clients by dropping plan to contract out home care services

Letter to Dr. Verna Yiu

Since its inception, AHS has highlighted the efficiencies that have been realized, from both a cost and quality perspective, by publicly administering programs through a single province-wide health system. UNA strongly encourages AHS to apply this same logic to the provision of home care services in Alberta. — Heather Smith, President, UNA

In light of notice from Alberta Health Services it intends to contract out home care services, United Nurses of Alberta has written AHS President and CEO Verna Yiu calling on the province-wide health authority to immediately stop plans for further privatization of these services.

The letter to Dr. Yiu also urges AHS to move toward a publicly delivered model for all nursing, palliative, and pediatric home care services.

Citing a survey earlier this year of Professional Responsibility Concerns raised by UNA members, the letter from UNA President Heather Smith notes numerous examples of problems with existing private contractors including poor communications, missed visits, lack of follow-up, short time allotments, lack of adherence to care plans, and lack of professional competence.

Nurses represented by UNA, who promise Albertans that they are on their side and at their side, are concerned about their clients and the negative outcomes this policy is bound to have on their health.

“Since its inception, AHS has highlighted the efficiencies that have been realized, from both a cost and quality perspective, by publicly administering programs through a single province-wide health system,” Smith wrote. “UNA strongly encourages AHS to apply this same logic to the provision of home care services in Alberta.”

Moving away from private contracting, she said, will “eliminate the cost associated with tendering contracts as well as maintaining oversight and accountability of multiple private providers,” improving the quality and safety of care for home-care clients.

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