Fixing healthcare systems not a priority for PCs

September 12, 2011

Alberta's NDP Opposition leader Brian Mason says Alberta needs firm action on mental health now – the opposite of a platitude-filled announcement today by the PCs.

"This announcement shows they're out of touch and out of ideas," Mason says. "A mental health strategy with specific goals, backed by funding, is an NDP priority and critical to fixing our healthcare system, improving community safety and more. We need to get mental health sufferers the care they need both in hospitals outside of emergency rooms and in the community today. But this PC plan offers no funding and no actions to address the issue. It’s another reason we can’t trust the PCs with our healthcare."

A report leaked last April to the NDP Opposition showed that Alberta has approximately half the number of mental health beds that are required for its current population. The PCs have created a mere 44 mental health beds in the last term. Meanwhile, there are serious questions about the government’s approach to community care after the death of mental health worker Valerie Wolsky in the community.

"Instead of developing a real plan and funding it properly, the PCs have spent the last few years plotting to shut down Alberta Hospital Edmonton," Mason says. "People have died unnecessarily and many others live difficult lives because of this government's neglect of excellent mental health services. The price if paid all through the health care system as a result."

An NDP government will make mental health a high priority backed by immediate funding to improve mental health outcomes and clear bed blocking in hospitals, benefitting all Albertans.