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
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Who would have thought that he only head to roll (so far) would be Guy Boutilier?!!
ReplyDeleteWhen Stelmach gets his head out of the sand, he needs to take a long look at the exhorbitant contract awarded to Duckett. Then he should point, aim and fire......Liepert!
By the way, who gave Duckett permission to take holidays within 6 months of taking this job?!!
-ema
Stelmach won't get his head out of the sand.
ReplyDeleteSince 1993, politicians, Albertans, businesses and media have learned that "party line" is a line you toe, or you are marginalized, vilified, and cut off from all government discussion. Rod Love was famous for being able to enforce discipline. He was also the genius behind Klein's role as 'everyman,'
and for telling him how to dig himself out of the piles of crap he (klein) created, such as the drunken and rampage stop at a homeless shelter.
Under Klein and Love, government learned and perfected the art of bullying to ensure that total control rested with the Premier's office.
Liepert has the bullying part down and Stelmach has the one-on-one charisma, but they are missing the brains.
IMHO, the Alberta PC's have turned this province into a virtual dictatorship, complete with the corruption and the single vision of maintaining power.
Steve West has bragged repeatedly that the 1990's cutbacks were the only plan there was. Cut everyone the same and they won't fight back.
We are now reaping the results of 'no plan, no vision,' and the current government is stuck in the same rut.
Klein ruled by fist, scraping with whoever questioned him, and Love massaged his reputation as an everyday guy lifting a beer in the St. Louis. At the same time, power was centralized in the Premier's office to derail any attempt to ensure the democratic process would work as intended, while convincing Albertan's who didn't want to be bothered to actually analyze his governance, that he was working in their interests.
Stelmach doesn't have a Rod Love, and Albertans are finally seeing beyond thier noses.
This is a good thing.
I couldn't agree more with your assessment of Alberta being a virtual dictatorship. I despair as to when we will see 'real democracy' in action provincially.
ReplyDeleteWhat is with these Albertans that go to the polls and blindly tick the box for the PC candidate?!!! Granted the voting numbers are abysmal, but what will it take for the rest (the silent majority!) to waken up? Surely they must see that they also have negligently contributed to Alberta effectively being run into the ground, by these ignorant(often poorly educated) bullies!
What angers me even more is the crazy severance package that MLAs receive, regardless of performance. (I'm thinking specifically of Klein and Shirley McClellan, as two of the most recent beneficiaries of this gross largesse.)
Also, recently I see Pat Nelson is now working for an oil company. Hmmm....I wonder how much inside information she took with her! Her time as an MLA obviously enhanced her chances in the private sector. Shouldn't someone be asking for a refund on her severance??
-ema