Pearl Lorentzen
Lakeside Leader
A few weeks ago, advocates from Edmonton came to Slave Lake to meet with seniors about their needs. The biggest need raised was health care. At the same time, AHS announced a temporary decrease in the family care clinic hours, because of lack of staff.
Many people on Facebook are complaining about health care in Slave Lake, and various suggestions are floating around about how best to complain.
The Leader contacted AHS to ask for clarification on filing complaints and recruitment. An article on recruitment will be in next weeks paper.
Cindy Harmata is the senior operating officer for the rural east of AHS north zone. The north zone covers a large area. It borders Edmonton zone and central zone on the south and extends to the top of the province. East to west it goes from Cold Lake to Jasper. Grande Prairie, High Level, Fort McMurray are some of the other larger centres in the north zone.
Harmata lives in Slave Lake, which is relatively central for the eastern half of the zone that she covers.
“We recognize that this is a difficult time,” Harmata says. AHS is recruiting to fill the vacant positions and the shorter hours are temporary.
Filing complaints
“As an organization, we really want to address concerns,” Harmata says. “We want to hear them. We know that our system is sometimes challenging.”The four options are available to all patients, clients or residents. These work for people who feel they have been denied care, people who have stayed at the hospital, etc.
1) Patient concern officer
People with concerns about the overall care received can contact a patient concern officer at 1-885-550-2555 or file an online form at albertahealthservices.ca/about/patientfeedback.aspx.
Patient concerns is an independent branch within the AHS, whose role is to address issues.
“Concerns will be heard,” Harmata says. “They will be followed up on.”
2) CPSA
People with concerns about an individual doctor can contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta at 1-800-561-3899 or cpsa.ca. Doctors are separate from AHS as they are private practitioners.
3) Zone leadership
People can contact the leadership team.
“I am available to hear concerns,” Harmata says. “I am very open to being contacted if people would like to talk further.”
Harmata’s email is cindy.harmata@ahs.caThe chief zone officer is Gregory Cummings at gregory.cummings@ahs.ca and the zone medical director is Dr. Brian Muir at brian.muir@ahs.ca.
The chief zone officer and medical director co-lead the north zone.
4) Local leadership
Issues can be addressed “directly right in the moment,” Harmata says. “A better approach is to solve the problem right now.” This could include a site manager, head nurse, or speaking directly to the person the resident feels isn’t providing the right level of care.
Urgent care
“If the need is urgent, we always do have an option,” Harmata says. “You come and we find a way to see you.”1) 811
If a medical situation arises, and a person isn’t sure how serious it is. They can call Health Link at 811. People speak with a registered nurse, who either handles the issue over the phone or directs the person to a health care provider. All Albertans have access to it 24-7.
2) Homecare
People seeking advise about caring for family members at home can contact a virtual team of home care advisers 16 hours a day through Health Link.
3) Emergency
If a medical issue is urgent, go to emergency or call 911.
