Alberta Health Services is now reviewing a controversial policy after outcry across the province.
Health Minister Adriana LaGrange and Alberta Health Services were called out Monday for an internal AHS memo to limit food to non-inpatients in emergency departments and those in non-inpatient areas.
In the "streamling food" memorandum, publicly posted on X by Paul Parks, an emergency room doctor and past-president of the Alberta Medical Association, the memo from an AHS executive said while recognizing that some patients may spend extended time in AHS facilities and expect or require access to food, clinics are encouraged to remind patients to bring their own snacks, meals or money to purchase their own food.
"Most sites have vending machines or on-site retail food services, and staff can provide information on nearby food options, if needed," the memo said.
"This initiative ensures that resources are allocated efficiently while maintaining high standards of care."
On Tuesday, a statement from AHS interim president and CEO Andre Tremblay said that due to media reports and concerns raised by the Health Minister, LaGrange asked him to look into reports that food and drink may not have been made available to patients.
"The proposed policy was not meant to deprive patients of food. What was meant to change is how food is stored and delivered to patients in an effort to reduce waste that is occurring in our hospitals. I have reviewed this policy which was brought forward prior to my arrival at AHS and, after feedback from clinicians, have decided that AHS will not move forward with these changes," Tremblay said.
"We are concerned by the misinterpretation of this proposed policy and are looking into reports that food and drink may not have been available to patients."
During a press conference on Monday, LaGrange was asked why a family now had to bring their own ginger ale, which their child required immediately following regular lumbar punctures for cancer treatment.
LaGrange said the memo was being misinterpreted.
"I would say that in fact what AHS has proposed was to streamline their processes for food that they disperse out and where it's medically required, where individuals are having surgery, particularly young children," LaGrange said.
"In no way, at least in my understanding of the way AHS had presented, was there to be any affect on someone who has cancer or anyone who is coming out of surgery, coming out of anesthetic."
"From my understanding, that was not supposed to happen. If that is happening, I will certainly look into it," LaGrange said.
香蕉视频直播婭n his social posts, Parks asked: "Has the (government) lost what it means to provide the CARE in Health Care?
We are currently starving many of our stranded (emergency department) hallway (patients), but maybe (Albertans) will rise up when they see we are denying kids (with) cancer?"
香蕉视频直播�"Remember those frail geriatric (patients) who come via EMS and spend days in our (emergency departments) to be admitted? -the ones who are in the hallway spaces because they CANNOT ambulate safely? - who forget to bring their clothes, never mind their "pop machine pocket change"?," Parks said in another post."香蕉视频直播�
