On February 6th Alberta Health Services (AHS) put out a request for proposal, inviting companies to submit proposals for the "provision of executive search services that will identify qualified, interested candidates to be considered for appointment as members of the Alberta Health Services board."

Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, issued the following statement today regarding the sale of Revera Home Health to Extendicare's ParaMed Home Health Care:

Friends of Medicare was appalled to hear that the Alberta Government is delaying the long-awaited cancer centre planned for Calgary. The government first promised funding to increase capacity for cancer care in 2005, and last year the government promised a world-class cancer facility would be open in Calgary by 2020. Now they are refusing to commit to a timeline for its completion.

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.

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

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:

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:

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:

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.