Doctors still want inquiry

DOCTORS STILL WANT INQUIRY

 

EDMONTON, AB (November 15, 2011): Alberta doctors are waiting for Premier Alison Redford to deliver on her promise to hold a public inquiry into the health care system so they can start getting back to advocating for their patients without fear, Wildrose Health Critic Heather Forsyth said today.

In her letter yesterday to Alberta Medical Association members, AMA President Dr. Linda Slocombe wrote that the AMA will “wait and see” what Redford ends up doing on the public inquiry but emphasized that, “The AMA has heard from a significant number of members who related instances of intimidation experienced in the course of advocating for patients – and the severe personal and professional impact these events carried.” Dr. Slocombe stated, “There is no other function more important to the vocation of medicine … than advocacy. Physicians need to feel they can perform this duty without fear of reprisal from Alberta Health Services (AHS) administrators or government.”

Forsyth said the letter supports what doctors have recently told her – that they won’t come forward to support Redford’s proposal to change the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) in place of calling a public inquiry. The AMA has already come out in favour of a public inquiry.

“Doctors have been very clear since the spring on this. They don’t want another review or an expansion of the HQCA’s mandate. What they want is a public inquiry. The Premier promised one. It’s time for her and her Health Minister Fred Horne to now listen and deliver,” said Forsyth.

Earlier this month the Wildrose, along with Alberta’s other opposition parties, sent a letter to Redford demanding that she deliver on her campaign promise to hold a public inquiry into the health care system.

The Wildrose Caucus stands for free enterprise, less government, increased personal freedom and democracy.

 

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For further information or to arrange an interview, media are invited to contact:

Evan Menzies

Communications Assistant, Wildrose Caucus

Ph: 780-904-4913