|
M.D. acts to entice surgeon
Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
The M.D. of Big Lakes is prepared to spend $100,000 on medical equipment for the operating room at the High Prairie Hospital in efforts to help attract a surgeon.
The decision was reached at council’s May 8 budget meeting, but not after several councilors expressed concern that purchasing the equipment is the Alberta government’s responsibility, not council’s.
“It’s not our role to supply medical equipment for the hospital,” said Enilda Councilor Ray Dupres.
It was Gilwood, Triangle Councilor Ken Matthews who suggested the idea.
“We can’t even have a child birth in High Prairie, “he said. “If you wanted a C-section, you can’t do that in High Prairie.”
Reeve Alvin Billings understood Dupres’s stand.
“Sooner or later, the government has to step up to the plate,” he said.
“This is for a surgeon,” replied Matthews. “I struggle with the whole hospital issue but we’ll have to fight for it.”
“Where does it stop?” asked Billings.
Matthews explained efforts to recruit the surgeon had a double benefit in this case because his wife is an anaesthesiologist.
Faust Councilor Violet Campiou asked if High Prairie town council was also paying.
“I’m not worried about the town,” replied Matthews.
Gilwood South, Sunset House Councilor Randy Ehman saw both sides but supported the proposal.
“I agree it is annoying but I will support it. It pisses me off they’re (Alberta government) not supporting it but if we don’t there will be no doctors.”
Joussard Councillor Guy L’Heureux said it was not the M.D.’s mandate to pay.
“How far are we prepared to go with this?” he asked. “The government won’t (pay) if we keep paying. We don’t have enough money to care for the healthcare system. If we really don’t like what the government is doing we should be burning our blue cards.”
Prairie Echo, Salt Prairie Councilor Daivd Marx liked the idea but only with a stipulation a doctor agrees to come to High Prairie.
“You can’t even operate,” he says. “I agree it’s not our mandate but if we specify restrictions I can support it.”
“Restrictions” means a doctor signing a contract and working in High Prairie for a specified time although the time period was not included in the approved motion.
Matthews feared the government would not include an operating room in the new hospital if the region did not act to secure the services of a surgeon and prove the need exists.
“You think the government won’t build a $70 million hospital and not have an operating room?” asked Kinuso Councilor Ken Killeen.
Others disagreed.
“If we’re not into health care what are we into?” asked Matthews.
The motion passed 5-4 with Dupres, Billings, Killen and L’Heureux voting against.
Copyright © 1999-2009 South Peace News. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.
View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster
|
