EDMONTON, AB – (This week) Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann announced a five-point plan to fix health care.
The Liberal plan is specifically designed to fix the health care system’s most pressing problems:
EXPAND HOME CARE AND LONG-TERM CARE
Problem: Without access to home care and long-term care, many seniors turn to hospital emergency rooms for treatment and end up staying in acute care beds for extended periods of time.
Solution: Free up hospital beds. Boost funding for elder care initiatives by $125 million so more seniors can stay in their own homes and lodges.
INVEST IN PRIMARY CARE & CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Problem: Too many hard-working Alberta families do not have a family doctor working with a multidisciplinary health team. Mr. Prentice cut already under-funded primary care networks (PCNs) by $75 million.
Solution: Reverse the $75 million Prentice cut to primary care and invest $25 million more in PCNs.
IMPROVE GOVERNANCE AND REDUCE WASTE
Problem: Alberta Health Services (AHS) is politicized and lacks sufficient oversight to ensure Albertans are getting value for money.
Solution: AHS must be independent of government with experts in health care management on the board. Empower the Auditor General to fully audit all health care spending.
FOCUS ON COMMUNITY BASED PREVENTION
Problem: Alberta invests less than 3% in disease and injury prevention. This results in increased hospitalizations, unnecessary suffering and escalating health costs.
Solution: Invest $50 million in prevention and early intervention, which will ensure Alberta families get access to vaccinations, public health and wellness services.
HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE AND MODERNIZATION
Problem: After years of neglect, Alberta’s hospitals are run down and require major maintenance and modernizations.
Solution: Ensure that money committed to maintenance and modernization of our hospitals is actually spent. Work with Covenant Health to rebuild the Misericordia hospital in West Edmonton.
QUOTES
“Once Albertans get into the health care system, our front-line staff provides world-class care! The problem with our health system is years of politicization and mismanagement,” says Dr. David Swann.
“Alberta Liberals will improve access to quality care and restore confidence among frontline workers,” says Nurse and Edmonton-Riverview candidate Dr. Donna Wilson. “I see first hand a broken system that can be repaired with solutions from front line workers.”
Source Alberta Liberal Party