Northern Lights Regional Health Center // Steph Seidel – Harvard Media

The Minister of Health was questioned thoroughly by the NDP health critic at the Legislative Assembly on November 25 about the amount of Fort McMurray residents traveling to Edmonton for medical care.

NDP health critic David Shepherd pointed out that the local Northern Lights Regional Health Center is no longer offering ambulatory imaging services due to staff shortages.

“This forces patients to go to Edmonton for breast cancer imaging just because they don’t have a technician,” Sheppard asked.

Health Secretary Jason Copping responded that there were difficulties recruiting and retaining certain professions. “Our focus is on making sure we can get people there and provide the services we need in communities across the province.”

Shepherd described that a local family had to travel to Edmonton every two weeks for treatment for their son, which he said cost the family about $ 500 each way for food, gasoline and a hotel room.

He asked what is being done to keep residents from leaving their homes: “What is the government planning to do to ensure Fort McMurray has the necessary services so that people can afford to stay healthy and in the?” Community to live. “

Copping replied that they are examining the capacity and ability to provide the right services across the province.

“We are spending more money than ever before than any other government in Alberta’s history. More than $ 23 billion in healthcare and our focus is on making sure we have the resources available to provide equitable service across the province. “