Tag Archives: HQCA

The “Tone at the Top” from two perspectives: Richard Nixon and the AHS

Posted on February 17, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

When Richard Nixon told David Frost than an illegal activity is not illegal “when the president does it” he confirmed what we’d all suspected: the “tone at the top” as far as the 37th President of the United States was … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

The Health Care Town Hall Meeting–How Come It’s Never Anybody’s Fault?

Posted on March 17, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

I went to the Health Care Town Hall meeting in Calgary last week.  After two hours I had a headache.  How come it’s never anybody’s fault? “Fault” is defined as being responsible for an unpleasant situation.  I learned all about … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

In the Hands of Squints and Politicians

Posted on February 26, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

The state of Alberta healthcare is the most important issue facing Alberta voters—and it’s resting in the hands of squints and politicians.  Lord help us! A “squint”, like his compatriots the geek and the quant, is a highly trained technical … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Allison Redford’s New Years Resolutions

Posted on December 31, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

The only thing more irritating than your own New Year’s resolutions are those made for you by someone else.  Nevertheless, I’ve created 10 New Year’s resolutions for Alison Redford.  Hey, she’s busy preparing for the spring election, I’m sure she’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Bill 24 – The Democratic Process is Swiss Cheese

Posted on December 4, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Alberta’s Privacy Commissioner nailed it when he said that the government’s propensity to override the public’s right to information under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) was turning FOIP into “Swiss cheese”.* This is deeply distressing … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bill 24 — A Public Inquiry?

Posted on November 27, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Question:  when is a public inquiry not a public inquiry?  Answer:  when the controversial testimony must be given behind closed doors.  Welcome to Bill 24—the Health Quality Council of Alberta Act. We all remember Premier Redford’s breakout moment in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged | 7 Comments

Square Peg/Round Hole — Redford’s Proposal to Beef Up the Health Quality Council Review

Posted on November 20, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

UPDATE — Premier Redford promised changes to the HQC which would allow it to conduct a public inquiry.  She delivered Bill 24 which allows the  HQC  to take the “public inquiry” behind closed doors under a number of circumstances.  So … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

A Distant View

Posted on September 29, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Gold mining and politics have one thing in common.  Sometimes it’s best to take a distant view of the field and look for patterns that might indicate a rich vein.  We’re down to the final days of the PC leadership … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Whose Domain Is It Anyway?

Posted on April 17, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Minister Zwozdesky responded to my email last week—5 months after I’d written to him complaining about my daughter’s 22 hour wait in ER before being admitted to the geriatric ward for gallbladder surgery.  I expressed my support for Dr Parks’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dr Y and the Art of Intimidation

Posted on April 3, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

There are 6500 doctors practicing medicine in Alberta;  2000 of them refuse to participate in the Health Quality Council (HQC) review.  These are intelligent, dedicated professionals practicing in ER, internal medicine, paediatrics, anaesthesia, rural practice and addiction-rehabilitation medicine and they … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 2 Comments