My last post was about government MLA Griffiths threatening that someone’s head was going to roll because the helipad in his riding that was closed by the Alberta Health Board, on the premise that changes by Transport Canada, meant that the helipad didn't meet new requirements.
When the story about rural and the Royal Alex heliport closures first broke, Transport Canada (TC) denied that they had made any changes that would affect Alberta's heliports, which the Alberta Health Board (AHB) was claiming closures were due to Transport Canada; the helipads didn’t meet Transport Canada requirements, they (the AHB) told us. In the following days, the Alberta Health Board stood by their original story, continuing to claim that safety concerns due to Transport Canada standards required the closing of the heliports.
STARS also had no advance notice of the closures. Sources say that notice was given to the affected parties on about June 25th or 26th, for the July 1st closures of rural and Royal Alex Helipads.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Unspecified+safety+concerns+behind+Alberta+helipad+closures/1744740/story.html
Further disturbing inconsistencies in the information about the closures from the Alberta Health Board:
Sundre Mayor Roy Cummings learned only Saturday evening -- three days before the local hospital's helipad was set to close--that it will not be approved for use pending an evaluation by the province.
"We're one of the busiest STARS locations in the province," Mayor Cummings said. "This just blew me away."
Alberta Health Services said letters were sent out nearly two weeks ago informing mayors, reeves and MLAs in the communities affected by the ‘temporary landing pad closures.’
"Every effort was being made to contact people," said Alberta Health Services spokesman Bruce Conway. "There was a process in place to inform them by letter, but obviously in this case (Sundre) it didn't happen and we're sorry for that."
Helipad closure angers Sundre mayor Calgary Herald June 28, 2009 http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Helipad+closure+angers+Sundre+mayor/1741216/story.htmlJuly 14, 2009
Griffiths representation in my recent post reputes this statement, as he sent his letter to Town Council on June 25th, announcing closure on June 30th:
“In a letter to Wainwright town council, dated June 25, Battle River-Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths alerted the town that Alberta Health Services (AHS) will close the helipad, along with seven others in Alberta, effective June 30, because the helipads do not meet Transport Canada standards.”
He investigated: "Griffiths called Transport Canada himself.
“According to Transport Canada, they didn’t order this,” said Griffiths. “Everything is fine, as far as they are concerned.”
Griffiths explained that according to the people he spoke to at Transport Canada, they haven’t undertaken any assessments that would have caused the closure of the helipads."
http://starnews.squarespace.com/starnews/2009/7/3/confusion-over-closure-of-stars-helipad.html
The Alberta Health Board line about the blame being with Transport Canada continued, according to a news story on June 29th:
"Alberta Health Services, which operates 64 helipads in the province, ordered the closure after inspection reports determined eight were not up to Transport Canada regulation standards. In addition to the one at the Royal Alexandra, helipads in Barrhead, Castor, Consort, Didsbury, Sundre, Wainwright and Westlock were also ordered closed. The closures begin on Tuesday and continue until fall.
Bruce Conway, Alberta Health Services spokesman, said officials will spend the next two months examining the sites and compiling a report of recommendations for each helipad. "That means either going forward with the necessary remediations at certain helipads and continuing as helipad facilities, or it could mean offering other levels of service," he said.
Conway said this could mean some helipads could be closed for good."
http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/edmonton/2009/06/29/9966546-sun.html
In Westlock, Ken Kowalski's riding, the Westlock News quotes the Transport Canada representative, in confirming that the closures have nothing to do with Transport Canada,
http://www.westlocknews.com/news/2009/0707/news1.htmw
"Bruce Conway, spokesperson for Alberta Health Services, said the eight heliports were closed because they weren't compliant with federal standards, noting there are a total of 64 heliports throughout the province.
He could not elaborate on how the heliports contravened Transport Canada's regulations, though he suggested it may have to do with sight lines or proximity to the health care centre.
However, Maryse Durette, spokesperson for Transport Canada, said Alberta Health Services' decision to close the heliports was not as a result of Transport Canada inspections or new regulations."
Suddenly the week of July 7th, all of these rural helports are now reopened, BUT only with some unknown strategy for meeting an extension purportedly granted by Transport Canada (TC) to the ‘unknown’ failures to meet TC requirements, and final decision to be made in the fall after some undescribed review by the Alberta Health Board.
Today, Dr. (not medical) Stephen Duckett, says, while on vacation, all of this was as a result of a decision he made based on “bad information."Spokespeople for Alberta Health Services, as well as board chairman Ken Hughes, repeatedly said Transport Canada had set a June 30 deadline to fix site problems that posed safety concerns for pilots, patients and those on the ground, or close the heiports. What those problems were has never been revealed.
The Alberta Health Board flip-flopped and reopened the helipads within days, claiming that Transport Canada allegedly given the AHB a reprieve.
Throughout this debacle, the federal department in charge of helipad standards said it had no serious concerns with the landing pads, and hadn't even inspected three of the sites.”
Today, July 14th, Dr. (not medical) Stephen Duckett admits that the helipads were closed in “error.”
Alberta health board CEO admits helipad error
Transport Canada hadn't given deadline
By Jodie Sinnema, Edmonton Journal July 14, 2009 http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Alberta+health+board+admits+helipad+error/1789287/story.html
Had there not been several official comments regarding the closures being the result of Transport Canada standards, and had there not been the blatantly untrue statement about the reopenings being a result of TC providing the AHB with a time extension to bring the helipads up to standards, and had two Tory MLA’s (Doug Griffiths and Ty Lund) not gone on record about having no previous or insider knowledge about the closures or the reasons for them, then this whole fiasco might have gotten a whitewash.
As an aside, and perhaps more telling, Dr. (not medical) Duckett is on holiday less than 3 ½ months after starting the job. He started his well paid position on March 23rd of this year, introduced an 80 some page organizational chart, got rid of around a hundred managers and announced that he now personally signs off on each and every new hire. And he’s now on vacation???
Heads should roll on this one.
This wasn’t an unverified email that was acted on and apologized for the next day.
This was an orchestrated series of events, over a period of time, based on invented circumstances and designed to change an aspect of health care in Alberta while keeping Albertans in the dark. Albertans were deliberately mislead by the false information given to them by The Alberta Health Board, it’s communications people, and by the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Ken Hughes, on July 9th when he clearly told a reporter that Transport Canada was prepared to give the Alberta Health Board and extension on the heliports.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health/Helipads+reopen+rural+hospitals+Ottawa+relents/1766664/story.html July 14, 2009
Either Dr. (not medial) Duckett is utterly incompetent, a puppet of his masters above, or just untrustworthy. Whichever it is, Dr. (not medical) Duckett has proven himself unworthy of his position as the captain of the Alberta Health Services ship.
Mr. Hughes has proven that he is prepared to treat Albertans with disdain by being an Alberta Health Board public spokesperson with position and authority for the July 9th article in the Calgary Herald in which he misstated the true facts and mislead Albertans. Whether he did in fact have ‘bad infromation’ as Duckett claims he had, and didn’t bother to verify it, or whether he knowingly told untruths, he has shown that he is not competent to oversee such a complex and multifaceted system as our public health care system.
Health Minister Liepert’s actions in the next few days will tell us a lot. If he was unaware of Dr. (not medical) Duckett’s actions and misinforming the people of Alberta, than he has a CEO that is out of control. If he was unaware of the full extent of Mr. Hughe’s actions, then he is incompetent as Health Minister. If he is complicit in what happened with the heliports and the mistruths repeatedly told to Albertans, than he will do nothing.
In the end, the buck stops at Ed Stelmach's office. His response to this scandalous situation will say a lot about the man, and about his ability to govern.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Conservative MLA threatens that “Someone’s head is going to roll.” after he calls Transport Canada to confirm that they haven’t made changes to close
Conservative MLA threatens that “Someone’s head is going to roll.” after he calls Transport Canada to confirm that they haven’t made changes to close Heliports for STARS air ambulance service.
Doug Griffiths, MLA Battle River-Wainwright, called Transport Canada to find out what changes they had made that required Alberta Helath Services to close the Wainwright helipad.
When he found out that Transport Canada hadn’t done anything to require the closure, he vowed that he would have the answers by the caucus meeting in Calgary during the Stampede (today) or “Someone’s head is going to roll.”
Today, the Calgary Herald reports that rural helipads will reopen, but that Transport Canada is providing more time to meet the guidelines.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health/Helipads+reopen+Alberta+rural+hospitals+Ottawa+relents/1766664/story.html
At the same time, according to the Herald article, Transport Canada is still saying it has nothing to do with the closures.
So who is telling the truth and who isn’t, and why?
It is time for truth from Health Minister Ron Liepert, and transparency and accountability from the Alberta Health Board and Liepert, to say nothing of our premier.
Confusion over closure of STARS helipadReporter: Kelly Clemmer Friday, July 3, 2009 at 9:00AM News
The helipad near the Wainwright Health Centre used by STARS Air Ambulance is closed, at least for now.
Wainwright’s ground ambulance will now transport patients to the Wainwright Airport to be picked up by STARS helicopters for emergency transport to Edmonton hospitals.
In a letter to Wainwright town council, dated June 25, Battle River-Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths alerted the town that Alberta Health Services (AHS) will close the helipad, along with seven others in Alberta, effective June 30, because the helipads do not meet Transport Canada standards.
Transferring a patient from the hospital to the helipad usually takes about a minute, currently. The helipad is located next to the Wainwright High School, across the street from the Wainwright Health Centre. Transferring a patient to the Wainwright Airport to meet STARS will add the driving time through town, along Canola Road, then three miles south of Wainwright to the airport.
If patient transportation is required from STARS, time is of the essence. Fixed wing air ambulances are also used, but the helicopters have reduced travel time for critically ill or injured patients.
After Griffiths received phone calls from concerned constituents who had phoned Transport Canada to find out what standards the helipads did not meet, but found Transport Canada denying their involvement, Griffiths called Transport Canada himself.
“According to Transport Canada, they didn’t order this,” said Griffiths. “Everything is fine, as far as they are concerned.”
Griffiths explained that according to the people he spoke to at Transport Canada, they haven’t undertaken any assessments that would have caused the closure of the helipads.
After calling AHS back, looking for why the helipads are being shut down, Griffiths didn’t get any answers there either, only more questions.
“If we can’t find the (Transport Canada) reports, I say we shouldn’t close them,” said Griffiths. “The new choppers can land anywhere, they can land in ditches if they have to, why suddenly are there new stringent standards for these helipads?”
In Griffiths’ early letter to council the letter notes that the 2008/2009 annual utilization data for the Wainwright Health Centre helipad was nine flights.
Griffiths explained that he was told by AHS that there could be financial considerations to upgrade the helipads due to the new larger AW139 helicopters coming into service later this year. Those upgrades could be a factor, but when the MLA pressed for confirmation on dollar amounts for those upgrades, those numbers couldn’t be found, except a number of $3 million for Edmonton upgrades alone.
“I don’t know exactly what is going on, but I’m going to find out,” said Griffiths. “It doesn’t mean that the helipads won’t be closed, but I want to get to the bottom of this.”
During the Stampede caucus in Calgary next week, Griffiths said if he doesn’t find out what’s going on by then, he’s going to demand answers.
“It will be a subject of discussion, I assure you.”
From the STARS website, “It is more expensive to operate a helicopter air ambulance than a fixed wing air ambulance. However, one of the helicopter’s key advantages is that it can transport a patient from “bed to bed,” eliminating the need for transfers by ground ambulance to and from airports. Also, the helicopter response is dedicated primarily to “red” or critically ill or injured patients, and also for remote area access.”
Funding to run STARS comes from private corporations as well as fundraising efforts.
“I’m still waiting for answers, this is a complete... mess,” Griffiths said. “I’m mad as hell, but I’m not sure who to be mad at yet.
“Someone’s head is going to roll.”
http://starnews.squarespace.com/starnews/2009/7/3/confusion-over-closure-of-stars-helipad.html
Doug Griffiths, MLA Battle River-Wainwright, called Transport Canada to find out what changes they had made that required Alberta Helath Services to close the Wainwright helipad.
When he found out that Transport Canada hadn’t done anything to require the closure, he vowed that he would have the answers by the caucus meeting in Calgary during the Stampede (today) or “Someone’s head is going to roll.”
Today, the Calgary Herald reports that rural helipads will reopen, but that Transport Canada is providing more time to meet the guidelines.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health/Helipads+reopen+Alberta+rural+hospitals+Ottawa+relents/1766664/story.html
At the same time, according to the Herald article, Transport Canada is still saying it has nothing to do with the closures.
So who is telling the truth and who isn’t, and why?
It is time for truth from Health Minister Ron Liepert, and transparency and accountability from the Alberta Health Board and Liepert, to say nothing of our premier.
Confusion over closure of STARS helipadReporter: Kelly Clemmer Friday, July 3, 2009 at 9:00AM News
The helipad near the Wainwright Health Centre used by STARS Air Ambulance is closed, at least for now.
Wainwright’s ground ambulance will now transport patients to the Wainwright Airport to be picked up by STARS helicopters for emergency transport to Edmonton hospitals.
In a letter to Wainwright town council, dated June 25, Battle River-Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths alerted the town that Alberta Health Services (AHS) will close the helipad, along with seven others in Alberta, effective June 30, because the helipads do not meet Transport Canada standards.
Transferring a patient from the hospital to the helipad usually takes about a minute, currently. The helipad is located next to the Wainwright High School, across the street from the Wainwright Health Centre. Transferring a patient to the Wainwright Airport to meet STARS will add the driving time through town, along Canola Road, then three miles south of Wainwright to the airport.
If patient transportation is required from STARS, time is of the essence. Fixed wing air ambulances are also used, but the helicopters have reduced travel time for critically ill or injured patients.
After Griffiths received phone calls from concerned constituents who had phoned Transport Canada to find out what standards the helipads did not meet, but found Transport Canada denying their involvement, Griffiths called Transport Canada himself.
“According to Transport Canada, they didn’t order this,” said Griffiths. “Everything is fine, as far as they are concerned.”
Griffiths explained that according to the people he spoke to at Transport Canada, they haven’t undertaken any assessments that would have caused the closure of the helipads.
After calling AHS back, looking for why the helipads are being shut down, Griffiths didn’t get any answers there either, only more questions.
“If we can’t find the (Transport Canada) reports, I say we shouldn’t close them,” said Griffiths. “The new choppers can land anywhere, they can land in ditches if they have to, why suddenly are there new stringent standards for these helipads?”
In Griffiths’ early letter to council the letter notes that the 2008/2009 annual utilization data for the Wainwright Health Centre helipad was nine flights.
Griffiths explained that he was told by AHS that there could be financial considerations to upgrade the helipads due to the new larger AW139 helicopters coming into service later this year. Those upgrades could be a factor, but when the MLA pressed for confirmation on dollar amounts for those upgrades, those numbers couldn’t be found, except a number of $3 million for Edmonton upgrades alone.
“I don’t know exactly what is going on, but I’m going to find out,” said Griffiths. “It doesn’t mean that the helipads won’t be closed, but I want to get to the bottom of this.”
During the Stampede caucus in Calgary next week, Griffiths said if he doesn’t find out what’s going on by then, he’s going to demand answers.
“It will be a subject of discussion, I assure you.”
From the STARS website, “It is more expensive to operate a helicopter air ambulance than a fixed wing air ambulance. However, one of the helicopter’s key advantages is that it can transport a patient from “bed to bed,” eliminating the need for transfers by ground ambulance to and from airports. Also, the helicopter response is dedicated primarily to “red” or critically ill or injured patients, and also for remote area access.”
Funding to run STARS comes from private corporations as well as fundraising efforts.
“I’m still waiting for answers, this is a complete... mess,” Griffiths said. “I’m mad as hell, but I’m not sure who to be mad at yet.
“Someone’s head is going to roll.”
http://starnews.squarespace.com/starnews/2009/7/3/confusion-over-closure-of-stars-helipad.html
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