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Taft says Tory pandemic plan outdated
MLA says focus is on job cuts
By Jodie Sinnema, Edmonton JournalAugust 29, 2009Comments (4)
Alberta's formal plan to counter the flu pandemic expected to hit this fall appears to be critically outdated, leaving Albertans vulnerable to a disaster similar to the SARS, tainted water and listeriosis scandals, says Liberal MLA Kevin Taft.
"I think the most telling is the fact the pandemic plans are from April 2008 and still refer people to the regional health authorities," said Taft, speaking of the government's online emergency plan document for health-care workers.
It refers to the role of regional health authorities in managing the pandemic--but the regions, which were recently rolled into one provincial superboard, no longer exist.
"What that tells me is the government has taken its eye off the ball in terms of pandemic preparation," said Taft, who wrote about his concerns in a letter to the premier.
"It's symbolic. My deep concern is that the complete turmoil inside Alberta's health-care system means that people are attending to job cuts and career moves and reorganizations when they should be really attending to things like preparing for a pandemic."
"If our government isn't ahead of the curve on these issues, isn't tightly focused on preparing for pandemics, people will die," Taft said.
In his letter to the premier, Taft asked if Dr. Andre Corriveau, chief medical officer of health for Alberta Health and Wellness, would have decision-making authority over Alberta Health Services'CEO Stephen Duckett, whose recent focus has been on tightening purse strings.
John Tuckwell, spokesman for Alberta Health and Wellness, said Premier Ed Stelmach will be responding directly to Taft about his concerns.
"Dr. Corriveau said, right from the beginning of H1N1, that we have a plan in place," Tuckwell said. "It's a living, breathing document. It isn't something set in stone, and both Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health and Wellness are continuing to adapt the plan and adjust it for what we're learning about H1N1."
Tuckwell said the plan online is an overall framework. All the details are being constantly talked about and implemented in the medical community, he said.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Taft+says+Tory+pandemic+plan+outdated/1941465/story.html
MLA says focus is on job cuts
By Jodie Sinnema, Edmonton JournalAugust 29, 2009Comments (4)
Alberta's formal plan to counter the flu pandemic expected to hit this fall appears to be critically outdated, leaving Albertans vulnerable to a disaster similar to the SARS, tainted water and listeriosis scandals, says Liberal MLA Kevin Taft.
"I think the most telling is the fact the pandemic plans are from April 2008 and still refer people to the regional health authorities," said Taft, speaking of the government's online emergency plan document for health-care workers.
It refers to the role of regional health authorities in managing the pandemic--but the regions, which were recently rolled into one provincial superboard, no longer exist.
"What that tells me is the government has taken its eye off the ball in terms of pandemic preparation," said Taft, who wrote about his concerns in a letter to the premier.
"It's symbolic. My deep concern is that the complete turmoil inside Alberta's health-care system means that people are attending to job cuts and career moves and reorganizations when they should be really attending to things like preparing for a pandemic."
"If our government isn't ahead of the curve on these issues, isn't tightly focused on preparing for pandemics, people will die," Taft said.
In his letter to the premier, Taft asked if Dr. Andre Corriveau, chief medical officer of health for Alberta Health and Wellness, would have decision-making authority over Alberta Health Services'CEO Stephen Duckett, whose recent focus has been on tightening purse strings.
John Tuckwell, spokesman for Alberta Health and Wellness, said Premier Ed Stelmach will be responding directly to Taft about his concerns.
"Dr. Corriveau said, right from the beginning of H1N1, that we have a plan in place," Tuckwell said. "It's a living, breathing document. It isn't something set in stone, and both Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health and Wellness are continuing to adapt the plan and adjust it for what we're learning about H1N1."
Tuckwell said the plan online is an overall framework. All the details are being constantly talked about and implemented in the medical community, he said.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Taft+says+Tory+pandemic+plan+outdated/1941465/story.html