EDMONTON – On Tuesday, Alberta Health Services announced plans to do some restructuring that is intended to give more focus to patient care.
Some say that can’t happen soon enough.
“We have never seen a single issue coming from the Legislature that has generated so much chaos in the community – literally dozens and dozens of heartbreaking stories about home care,” says NDP MLA for Edmonton-Calder, David Eggen.
Stefania Kunicki, who is 86 years old, is among those whose home care has changed recently.
Until a few months ago, the senior had the same home care aide help her with meals and a bath every day for five years. The family abruptly found out they were losing their aide from the aide herself.
In June, AHS reduced the number of providers in Edmonton and Calgary from 45 to 17. Certain geographic areas were assigned certain providers, taking away the choice from clients like Kunicki.
A few of the decisions were later reversed, and a review was conducted.
AHS maintains that while the changes will save $18 million, patient care won’t be affected.
“The proof will be in the pudding,” says Stefania’s daughter Carol Anne Kunicki. “What the minister says, and what the minister and AHS do, remains to be seen.”
A final list of home-care providers has not yet been released by AHS.
With files from Vassy Kapelos, Global News
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