Health Sciences Association of Alberta presents call to action in support of health-care workers

First, to protect the physical health of health-care professionals by providing N95 masks to all workers on the front lines.

Secondly, protect the mental health of workers by ensuring days off, appropriate workloads and no punishments for not being able to work.

Third, a plan to recruit and retain more health-care professionals.

HSAA is concerned the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services were not being forthright with Albertans about potential staff shortages due to Omicron.

During the conference on Monday, Parker said that he needs the government to come clean on what’s truly happening on the frontline of our health-care system.

“I wish I could give you specifics and this is again being hidden by the employer and by government. What I am being told is that paramedics on the front lines when they do get off shift are receiving 10-15 calls a day to come back to work.”

When you see a code red occur in Edmonton or Calgary that means there’s no available resources left in the region.

Parker says the closest ambulance may not be close anymore because when cities have no available ambulances they must draw from surrounding communities.

“We have had units responding from Lloydminster as the only available ambulance to a call in Edmonton.”

According to HSAA, there were up to 266 paramedic shifts unfilled and three labs in Edmonton were forced to close indefinitely due to staff shortages.

Last week in Medicine Hat, five paramedic shifts went without coverage.

by Gavin Miller

Health Sciences Association of Alberta presents call to action in support of health-care workers

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