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2010 Feb 19 (Fri)

Funding for Calgary Hip and Knee Surgeries

Kevin questions the differences in funding for Edmonton and Calgary hospitals.

 

180 Alberta Hansard February 18, 2010

Dr. Taft: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health and Wellness. The minister needs to answer an obvious question that he completely evaded yesterday. Why is Calgary receiving funding for an extra 200 hip and knee procedures in the next six weeks while Edmonton is receiving funding for only 16?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, the simple answer is that the surgical teams are ready and able to do those extra surgeries in Calgary. In Edmonton we spoke with the Royal Alex this morning, and they would tell you that they have a temporary shortage of anaesthetists.

Dr. Taft: Well, thanks. It’s interesting that he spoke to them this morning because this announcement was made several days ago. To the same minister: given that he’s admitted, or indicated, that waiting lists are kept by local surgeons, which local surgeons in Edmonton were consulted about their wait-lists before this morning?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Well, Mr. Speaker, I was actually in a different meeting when I phoned for other purposes, and that’s where that information came from, but I’ll try and get that answer for you, hon. member. I know that we talked with a lot of people across the province, and if you want a definitive list of doctors, I’ll try and get that for you. It wasn’t I who did the phoning – it was Alberta Health Services – but I’ll get that information for you.

Dr. Taft: Okay. I’ll look forward to that being presented in this Assembly. Again to the same minister: while he’s tabling the list of surgeons that his people consulted in making up this 10 to 1 discrepancy in favour of Calgary, will he also table the wait-lists and the wait times for hip and knee surgeries at all Edmonton and Calgary facilities so that we can know whether or not this decision was based on good evidence or on politics or on strategic marketing by HRC?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, I believe what I indicated yesterday and perhaps in days earlier is that staff with Alberta Health Services had talked with doctors and surgical team members and/or staff or whomever in various parts of the province, so I’ll try and get that list more definitively defined for you. I’ll try and get you more information on the question you’ve just asked as well. Those are details that are really in the hands of Alberta Health Services, but I’ll see what I can do to help you out.

 

 

Date: Fri Feb 19 20:11:17 MST 2010 Author: Rebecca IP: 68.149.137.22