Border tips health services scales

Andy Ridge, assistant health minister for the Alberta government, came to learn about bi-provincial health priorities in the city during a health services drop-in event at the Legacy Centre last week. Geoff Lee Meridian Source

 

The bureaucratic health care battle on the border took the spotlight in Lloydminster during the restart of the Battle of Alberta on the ice.

Bi-provincial health service challenges were one of the focuses of a community drop-in meeting at the Legacy Centre during the first NHL playoff game between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.

Paul Richer, chair of the Lloydminster and District Health Advisory Council that organized the event, says there needs to be a full-time ombudsman to clear bi-provincial bottlenecks.

“What happens with two provinces is, there are different election periods; there are different fiscal policies that happen at different times,” said Richer.

“There needs to be a full-time ombudsman because we’re just volunteers. You really have to keep on it at all times to keep both sides informed.”

About 150 people turned up to review the advisory council’s list of 15 priorities including Andy Ridge, a new assistant deputy minister of health for Alberta who touched on the jurisdictional challenges.

“What’s unique here is the geography,” said Ridge, who noted priority issues need to have an equitable footing within the 150-kilometre radius of the Lloydminster health region.

Ridge also took over the role of Alberta co-chair of the Bi-Provincial Health Services Committee.

“Part of my learning is to confirm or validate there is fair representation (from Alberta) whether it’s capital planning or it’s budget process where there may be gaps, and what we can do more of in the Lloydminster area for the people that live here,” said Ridge.

The ADM came to Lloyd the same day as Alberta premier Jason Kenney announced he was stepping down as leader of the United Conservative party, putting the revolving door of new health personalities and policy directions in the limelight.

“One of the things we heard from the mayor of Lloydminster is having a greater transition and supporting continuity when people change,” said Ridge.

“What I can offer is to assure when I do move on that I’ve made a difference in helping with that transition.” 

He says that means assuring a successor knows how decisions are made, where priorities are in the queue and where they may be getting stuck on border challenges.

Richer says having transitional information to pass along to the next new minister is key.

“These ministers keep changing, so just as you’re at the precipice of thinking you’re going to accomplish something, it disappears, so it’s vital,” said Richer. 

Lloydminster resident Larry Sauer came to the meeting to see what’s been done to get “the provincial people” together to better health facilities and services in the area.

“It seems that we’ve kind of been forgotten about on both sides of the border in some areas,” he said.

Progress is being made, however, including EMS ambulance service that Richer highlighted, with WPD Ambulance Service covering Saskatchewan and Prairie EMS in Alberta.

“It’s still evolving due to the arbitration process with WPD and Saskatchewan, but I would suggest to you tonight we probably have the best service we’ve ever had,” he told the audience.

“We have two contractors who have agreements to go on either side of the province wherever there may be EMS shortages and the 911 call centres are fully aware.”

Richer says it’s also agreed between Alberta and Saskatchewan health authorities the Alberta EMS protocols are the highest standards when dealing with patients in the field and this ability to perform more duties is allowed throughout this region.

The service benefits Saskatchewan residents within reach of the EMS hub.

Richer also notes Lloydminster is one of the only jurisdictions of its size that does not have a stabilization bed for mental health patients and he wants to close that service gap.

“We need your help to make it clear to everyone in administration and government to say we want to be equal,” said Richer to the public.

Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young read a statement from Minister for Mental Health, Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, Everett Hindley.

She then told the audience support for a hospice on the border is on the books.

“It’s being reconsidered as we’re looking at palliative care services across the province. That could mean separate hospices or government setting up hospices in hospitals,’’ said Young.

She added she has been pushing the minister of health to add a new operating room at the Lloydminster Hospital.

“It’s something they are considering, too,” said Young. 

 Nancy Schneider, mayor of St. Walburg and a member of Richer’s team, considers the Lloyd hospital as her community’s rural hospital and wants to see it expanded too.

“We are hoping that people pay attention and they will advocate for this regional hospital and this advisory council,” she said.

Richer says the next step for the council is to go through some of the comments made at the meeting to identify any new issues or service gaps.

author avatar
Geoff Lee
Add a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *