What’s on Your Mind – September

Health care once again was your #1 issue, followed by seniors and transportation issues.

I sometimes wonder when I talk about your health issues if I should just say “see previous months”.  I can only say your concerns continue to be the same every month and they just don’t seem to be getting resolved.  Trying to find a family doctor, getting into a specialist, and the long waits you have to endure is just not acceptable.  In the past I have let you know the names of doctors taking new patients; however it seems as soon as they hang out their shingle they are full.  In my role as Health Critic I’ve talked to many healthcare professionals and they are as frustrated as you.  While government has indicated there is no intimidation the healthcare professionals indicate over and over again they are afraid to speak out. 

We are still receiving calls about moving a family member from independent living to assisted living and the long wait to get them into a long term care facility.  Moving through the system has not been easy.  The government indicates they are committed to building more assisted living facilities but have been silent on long term care beds.  Home Care, or should I say lack of, continues to be a problem.  We’ve also had calls about changes to the Guardianship Program as well as the complexity and associated cost. 

Transportation, the third issue on your mind, is the traffic backlog on Deerfoot Trail due to construction on the Calf Robe Bridge.   We have been told the project should be completed by the end of October.  The new Distracted Driving Law has also generated questions on what you can or cannot do.

As always I want to thank you for calling, e-mailing or just dropping in to let us know “What’s On Your Mind”.

Terri and Bev are extremely capable at helping navigate the system.  Between the two of them they have 40 plus years of experience.

Please feel free to drop in for a visit and see our “new digs” …  we are finally settling into our new location, and enjoying the brightness our windows provide.