‘It’s oftentimes too late’: Health-care concerns raised at town hall in Calgary

Calgarians attended a town hall Saturday aimed at bringing change to Alberta's overburdened health-care system. Alesia Fieldberg reports.

Health care concerns brought many Calgarians together Saturday afternoon for a public town hall meeting, the seventh in a province-wide series aiming to bring change to an over-burdened system.

Many say immediate action is needed to add more space and staff.

“Everybody is so rushed, so short-staffed, so overworked,” said Beverley Fauchrn, a recently retired Calgary health care worker.

The public event is one of several hosted by advocacy group Friends of Medicare, to let Albertans discuss changes to the health care system and raise local concerns.

“Red Deer a few weeks ago we had to move venues because we were too big. We’ve seen that happen across the province even in Ponoka. People are obviously very worried and they’re showing up in person and saying, ‘I want to get involved,’” said Chris Gallaway, Friends of Medicare executive director.

Health-care workers at the event said they see the strain every day.

“You see it when you walk into the hospitals. You see people sitting on the chairs and on the floors outside emerge waiting,” said Nolan O’Brien, a Calgary nurse.

Many think something needs to be done immediately.

“Individuals who are diagnosed with cancer are seeing longer wait times before they can get into life-saving surgeries and then they are being given poor prognosis, therefore once they get the surgeries it’s oftentimes too late,” said Shelby Skelton, a surgical nurse in Calgary.

One emergency physician says the concerns aren’t new but growing, and Alberta’s new health system adds more challenges.

“It’s been pure chaos. I’ve been in this system 25 years working as a front line emerge doctor. It’s never been this bad,” said emergency physician Paul Parks.

But the premier says the three separate health departments and private health options are part of the solution.

“The old system with AHS responsible for everything that I think was part of the reason we’ve ended up with the system that we have that isn’t working as well as it should,” said Danielle Smith.

Those who disagree hope these town halls make a difference.

“I think there is hope because people are here willing to fight for it and think we need people willing to listen when we do fight for it,” said Skelton.

“It’s not about ideology and politics. You ask anyone in Alberta, they want robust, safe and timely healthcare so we have to all demand it,” said Dr Parks.

Sunday afternoon a town hall will be held in Airdrie, a city nearing 100-thousand people with no hospital or emergency department.

Sunday night at 6 p.m. there will be a town hall in Cochrane.