When it comes to assessing the state of health care in the Bonnyville/Cold Lake region it is clear it has to be looked at differently than in other parts of the province, says Health Minister Fred Horne.
“You don't need to sell me that we need to look at Bonnyville and Cold Lake in a different light. We have seen what happens in other parts of Alberta with periods of rapid growth. Not just populations but the costs that go with it, so we will keep working with you to make sure that you are well served,” said Horne during his visit to Cold Lake on June 13.
“Alberta Health Services continually updates service plans for the different zones and sub-zones in the province. I think there is a really good case, and (local MLA) Genia Leskiw has taught me a lot about this, to look at the Cold Lake and Bonnyville area in a different light because of the rate of growth here. I didn't have a chance to visit the (Cold Lake) hospital but it is clear, from what I have been told, that every inch of usable space in that hospital is being used and it is still not enough capacity to serve the people.”
Horne was in Cold Lake to visit the new primary care facility that recently opened on the 4 Wing base. He also took time to thank a squadron of 4 Wing personnel who helped airlift an emergency patient to a hospital in Edmonton in January.
On Jan 15, Holly Moyah, of Frog Lake First Nation, was at the Bonnyville Hospital having contractions when it was determined that she needed to go to Edmonton to deliver her baby. With the province experiencing some of the windiest conditions in history that day, STARS air ambulance was grounded, planes at the Bonnyville airport were grounded and a normal ground ambulance couldn't get her there fast enough. This is when the military was called in and used a rescue Griffon helicopter to take her from Bonnyville to the Lois Hole Hospital for Women in Edmonton.
“On behalf of myself and the Premier, we thank you,” said Horne, addressing the four members of 4 Wing who executed the successful patient transfer. Horne also took time to speak to the rest of the squadron, about 35 members in total, addressing the province's commitment to providing them with great health care.
“You certainly have my commitment to improve access to care for you,” said Horne. “The services in this province are to be available to all Albertans, not just the ones born here, but also the ones posted in this province.”
The trip opened Horne's eyes to the struggles and challenges there are for the members of the Armed Forces stationed in Cold Lake, as he said he did not fully understand the challenges that come with finding affordable housing in the region.
Horne was also questioned on the EMS and ambulance services in the region and how people in Cold Lake and Bonnyville have been upset with the changes the province made. Horne urged citizens that the changes are for the better.
“I think it is really important for people to understand that we have moved to a borderless EMS system in Alberta. So the old days when EMS was a municipal service and ambulances were associated with specific bases and just service one geographical area, we have really moved past that,” said Horne.
“The EMS resources we have are available for everyone in the province. Our move to central dispatch is going to make sure that we get an accurate match between the need in a particular situation and which resources are deployed. I know there is concern here in the growth of the population and people want to have confidence that the EMS is there when they need it.”
