News

Covenant Health cuts mean less care for residents of facilities

Friends of Medicare will be supporting the front-line workers rallying today to bring attention to Covenant Health's significant staff realignment taking place in the long-term care section at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre and all care areas at St. Joseph's Auxiliary Hospital and Youville Home. In the majority of cases, staff were given the opportunity to apply for another position but with a significant reduction to their hours of work. The realignment will impact over 650 front-line staff.

Fom Friends of Medicare

Written by
December 10, 2014

  • Covenant Health cuts mean less care for residents of facilities

    Friends of Medicare will be supporting the front-line workers rallying today to bring attention to Covenant Health's significant staff realignment taking place in the long-term care section at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre and all care areas at St. Joseph's Auxiliary Hospital and Youville Home. In the majority of cases, staff were given the opportunity to apply for another position but with a significant reduction to their hours of work. The realignment will impact over 650 front-line staff.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    December 10, 2014

  • Alberta Throne Speech signals more of the same

    Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, issued the following statement today regarding the Alberta Government's Speech from the Throne:

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    November 17, 2014

  • The rigmarole continues at AHS with appointment of new Official Administrator

    Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, issued the following statement today regarding the appointment of Dr. Carl Amrhein as Official Administrator of Alberta Health Services:

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    November 17, 2014

  • Health care dollars should be spent on services, not wining and dining

    Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, issued the following statement regarding the CBC's release today of new information on expenses of former Capital Health executives:

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    November 07, 2014

  • New Rapid Transfer Units are déjà vu all over again

    Today AHS announced the creation of new Rapid Transfer Units at the Royal Alexandra and University Hospital in the next six weeks. Each unit will include 8 to 15 beds. The two pilot sites will also add dedicated EMS stretcher capacity as well as additional clinical staff within six weeks as a way to improve access to emergency rooms. In response, Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, issued the following statement:

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    October 16, 2014

  • Government announcement on hospital pressure relief continues privatization agenda

    Today the Alberta Government made its announcement on relieving the pressures on hospitals. The announcement included the discovery of 464 previously-closed beds, which are now scheduled to be re-opened over the next year.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    October 14, 2014

  • Centralization of Ambulance Dispatch Services in Calgary Will Add Further Stress to Emergency System

    "When you are in a life-and-death situation seconds do count," says Friends of Medicare
     
    The plan to continue the centralization of Ambulance Dispatch System in Calgary continues full steam ahead despite the wishes of Albertans, says Friends of Medicare.
    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    October 09, 2014

  • Media Statement on the Handing Over of Publicly Funded Services to the For-Profit Sector by the Shepherd's Care Foundation

    On Oct 3rd, 2014 Friends of Medicare will be standing in support of the 157 Shepherd's Care Support workers who were laid off by Shepherd's Care Foundation after this faith-based organization announced that these positions will be handed over to ARAMARK, a $14 billion/yr. multinational for-profit company. These jobs include housekeeping, maintenance, and food services all of which are essential components of quality care for the seniors and vulnerable Albertans who reside in these five facilities.  The residents in the centres that will be impacted reside in Millwoods, Greenfield, Kensington, Vanguard, and Southside Manor.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    October 03, 2014

  • Premier Prentice Announces yet Another Review while Rural Health Suffers

    "It is difficult not to be skeptical when we have seen over and over again how plans introduced by this PC government are not acted upon while medical needs take a backseat," stated Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    September 23, 2014

  • Appointment of Stephen Mandel Will Not Promote the Stability Alberta's Health Care System Needs

    Friends of Medicare would like to welcome our newly appointed, albeit unelected Minister of Health, Stephen Mandel.   In keeping with his statement of renewal, Premier Prentice most definitely kept his resolve by appointing Mr. Mandel to one of the most important cabinet posts.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    September 15, 2014