Superboard A Super Failure, Wildrose Caucus Charges
On the heels of Alberta Health Services announcing a second major organizational review in the last year, the Wildrose Alliance Caucus today reiterated its long-held position that the superboard experiment is a failure.
In a request for consultants, AHS confessed – among other shortcomings – a bloated organizational structure, its failure to meet community health needs and, astonishingly, its incapacity to deliver efficient and effective health care.
“Usually the first step is admitting you have a problem, but I don’t think a 12-step program is going to fix what’s wrong with AHS,” Wildrose Alliance leader Danielle Smith said. “There’s only one step the government can take at this point – dismantle Alberta Health Services and return health care delivery to local communities.”
After meeting with Albertans and hearing their health care horror stories, Smith said she wasn’t surprised to learn of AHS’s self-diagnosed symptoms. The system is nearly impossible to navigate for both patients and staff, she said.
“If the government was actually listening to Albertans, we wouldn’t be in this position,” Smith said. “Nobody wanted a superboard to begin with. Nobody is happy with how the superboard works. I think the only thing that would make Albertans happy is returning decision-making power to local boards and community hospitals.”
Wildrose Alliance Health Critic Heather Forsyth said it’s nice to see AHS is finally coming around to what the Wildrose has been talking about since the superboard was established in 2008.
“They’re finally admitting to what we’ve been saying – that AHS is too big, too centralized and too far removed from real Albertans to deliver quality health care,” Forsyth said. “What amazes me is that this whole experiment has been flawed since day one and they’re just waking up to it now.”
The Wildrose Alliance Caucus advances competent, principled and conservative policies that will limit government spending growth, increase economic opportunities, empower communities and strengthen individual liberties and freedom.
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For further information or to arrange an interview, media are invited to contact the Wildrose Caucus at:
Brock Harrison
Communications Co-ordinator, Wildrose Alliance Caucus
Ph: 780-399-2890