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Turkey Dinner
Paul Rumbolt (left) and his son Ryan get out of the cold on Sunday evening to enjoy a turkey dinner at the Lewis Memorial united Church in Turner Valley.
- photo by Luc Hebert
Lawyer to investigate CHR's role following judge's criticism in Motta inquiry
By
Staff reporter
The Calgary Health Region has hired a Calgary lawyer to review the local health authority's actions during the fatality inquiry into the death of Okotokian Vince Motta.
Motta sought treatment for intense abdominal pain at two Calgary hospitals before receiving an emergency appendectomy at the High River Hospital.
Following the surgery Motta suffered an acute asthma attack and later died at the Rockyview Hospital in Calgary.
Inquiry Judge Manfred Delong criticized the Calgary Health Region during the presentation of the final recommendations saying documentation was not provided in a timely fashion and added that some documentation was presented in a misleading way or was unintelligible. He also said the CHR seemed to view the inquiry as a public relations exercise.
CHR chairmen David Tuer said the health authority hopes to learn from the inquiry experience and from Tavender's findings.
'We take the recommendations in the Inquiry report seriously,' Tuer said.
Tavender said he is confident that he will have unfettered access to those involved with the inquiry process.
His investigation will include personnel from the High River Hospital.
Tavender's findings will be made public at a CHR board meeting scheduled for June 24.
A report based on the judge's recommendations into the region's clinical practices will also be released during a public board meeting to be held May 21.
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Wed, May 7, 2003
Due to illness and an interruption in electicity, there will be no on-line issue of the Wheel this week. Please see our printed edition until next week.
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webmaster
Authority unhappy with seniors' housing funding shortfall
By
Editor
For the eighth consecutive year the provincial government did not increase funding for seniors' housing and that is a concern for the Foothills Foundation.
The provincial government announced its 2003 budget two weeks ago, but the budget did not include any additional funds for senior's housing in Alberta.
Doug McLeod, the director of the Foothills Foundation which operates four senior's lodges, said the foundation will have to review its business practices.
'We have not had an increase in a number of years and that is putting a larger burden on ourselves,' said McLeod in an interview on Monday. 'We may have to look at other options.'
The province provides senior housing authorities with $4.80 per day for each occupied unit (for lodges only). That contribution has not increased since 1995.
However, McLeod said the costs of operating the lodges, salaries, utilities, food, has certainly increased over that period.
The funding shortfall must be made up through municipal requisitions and rent increases.
This year the Foothills Foundation increased its requisitions to its partnering municipalities (Okotoks, High River, Turner Valley, Black Diamond, Longview and the MD of Foothills) for the first time since 1991.
The 2003 budget for the Foothills Foundation is approximately $3 million and the requisition this year was about $500,000.
McLeod said rental fees for the lodges have not been increased, but that may have to be reviewed as a result of the provincial budget.
The province is expected to announce the Lodge Assistance Program (LAP) funding in July, but McLeod said the foundation has already been told there is no additional money in the program for 2003.
As a result, McLeod predicts 2004 may be much the same.
'We are going to see an increase (in requisitions) next year,' he stated.
Along with requisitions, the Foothills Foundation is also going to review its medical assistance policy.
McLeod explained the foundation is not a health service, but staff is often required to assist clients with medical needs.
'Our clients are an aging population and a number of them have health related issues and we are assisting them with their needs, but we are not being financially compensated,' said McLeod.
The foundation director said the board of directors will be reviewing the medication assistance policy this week.
However, McLeod said it is unlikely the board would elect to withhold medical assistance.
Approximately 30 per cent of the foundation's 300 clients in lodges require medication assistance.
'We really don't have a choice,' explained McLeod. 'We are not comfortable telling clients we can no longer provide them housing because we can't provide the services they require.'
The Foothills Foundation is also in negotiations with the Calgary Regional Health Authority to share concepts regarding providing assisted living housing.
