Let brain injured Albertans stay in their homes
EDMONTON, AB (November 9, 2011): Brain injured clients should not be forced out of their homes because of cuts made by the Alberta Health Superboard the Wildrose Caucus said today.
Inglewood was originally built with the philosophy of keeping brain injured clients in close contact with one another to build a family atmosphere. Now, after the Superboard abruptly cut funding to Inglewood, clients will be removed from their homes and, in some circumstances, be placed in facilities that parents have indicated aren’t equipped to meet their needs.
“This is just another example of centralized decision making gone wrong,” Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said. “Ever since the introduction of the Superboard, vulnerable Albertans have suffered at the hands of a broken and cold bureaucracy. There should be no hesitation in reversing this decision and keeping these clients in their homes.”
Wildrose Health Critic Heather Forsyth said that the Inglewood decision is a sign of a broken system that dictates decisions from the top instead of consulting with clients and their families regarding their individual needs.
“We need to fix the model not the homes – we cannot afford to have a centralized Superboard calling the shots on these cases when it comes at the cost of breaking down communities,” Forsyth said. “Parents have told us that decisions on moving brain injured clients should be made by experts in the community within the PDD model, instead of at the top of the Superboard.”
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