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Health Advocate office panned by critics

The Redford government has ignored the recommendation to create an independent Health Advocate — one of 12 recommendations that came out of the queue-jumping inquiry, says Wildrose MLA Kerry Towle.

The Redford government has ignored the recommendation to create an independent Health Advocate — one of 12 recommendations that came out of the queue-jumping inquiry, says Wildrose MLA Kerry Towle.

On Nov. 18, the province proclaimed the Alberta Health Act and will establish a Health Care Advocate office where a Health Advocate, Seniors’ Advocate and the existing Mental Health Patient Advocate will be consolidated.

Advocates will report to the Health minister instead of to the legislature.

In August, the province accepted the recommendation in the Health Services Preferential Access Inquiry report to “consider establishing an independent office of Health Advocate” in principle.

The Health Care Advocate office was announced as Bill 208, Towle’s private member’s bill, sits before the legislature and calls for an independent Seniors’ Advocate.

“The bill is still on the floor. It will come up again next Monday for second reading vote. We suspect the government will vote it down,” said Towle, MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake. Her bill would also give the Seniors’ Advocate the ability to investigate, audit and make its reports and findings public.

Meanwhile, the province’s lack of independence for its Health Advocate Office’s has some wondering whether just another layer of bureaucracy will be added without any benefits for Albertans in crisis.

“If the advocate had power, if the advocate could bring things forward and be part of the solution, that would be good. But if the advocate is there just so someone has a number to phone when they’re upset and the action doesn’t follow, then it’s just another job,” said Brenda Corney, chairperson of Friends of Medicare Red Deer chapter.

Shirley Thomas, vice-president of Central Alberta Council on Aging, said there are a lot of unknowns about the Seniors’ Advocate.

“Will people take their concerns directly to him and bypass their MLA? How does he interact with the elected officials and what is his direct relationship with the minister of Health?” Thomas asked.

She wanted to know how many staff an advocate would have and if there would be regional offices for better access.

The Alberta Health Act will come into force on Jan. 1, when the government will appoint a Health Advocate.

szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com