Grits want hospital probe

March 15, 2007

By DARCY HENTON, Edmonton Sun

Edmonton Sun - Edmonton,Alberta,Canada

Alberta Liberals are calling for a public inquiry into the safety of

seniors living at Holy Cross Hospital after the Calgary Health

Region decided to remove 42 residents from the facility last week.

Calgary MLA Dave made the call in the legislature yesterday,

but it was rejected by Premier Ed Stelmach, who said he had

confidence in the regional health authority to manage the situation.

" If the minister of health feels ... the Calgary Regional Health

Authority isn't doing the job ... I am sure the minister will step

in and ensure the safety of our seniors in that facility. "

told the legislature there's been a long list of problems

since the hospital was sold to private owners a decade ago.

Those problems include toxic mould, asbestos abatement complaints

and fire code violations. " Now, (with) the Calgary health region's

conclusion that the long-term care facility fails to meet provincial

standards of care, it's time to make sure that private health-care

providers are held accountable and it's time to restore public

confidence. "

The Liberals also brought in a motion calling for an immediate

emergency debate on the conditions at the facility.

But Tory House leader and Health Minister Dave Hancock argued that

while the situation is serious, it doesn't constitute an emergency.

He said health officials are monitoring the situation and fire

safety code violations are being addressed.

Alberta's NDP brought a similar motion to the House in 2005 on the

auditor general's concerns over the lack of standards and quality

care in long-term care facilities, and an emergency debate was held.

But Speaker Ken Kowalski ruled against it yesterday, saying the

situation didn't constitute an emergency that required a disruption

of House business.

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