Saturday's letters: Shelving south Edmonton hospital a mistake

Published Mar 23, 2024 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 2 minute read

Then-minister of Infrastructure Prasad Panda (centre) speaking at the future site of the South Edmonton hospital along 127 St. and 20 Ave. SW in Edmonton, July 8, 2021. Photo by File Photo /Postmedia

A recent trip to the University of Alberta Hospital made it clear to me much more space is needed for hospital beds and that the province’s decision to cut funding for a hospital on the south side was mistaken.

I received excellent care from doctors, nurses — true angels in Edmonton — and all the supporting cast: food services, custodial staff, laundry, for an internal bleeding ulcer. But I could not believe the number of patients in the hallways. I was fortunate to have a bed in a room with three patients that was clearly originally meant for only two. The poor nurses were tripping over themselves; IV poles could hardly pass by one another; trays were being knocked off tables and sadly, some patients were being treated in the hallways on beds but, in some cases, armchairs.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters.Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account.Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Sign In or Create an Account

Article content

The government should reconsider giving these amazing health-care workers and Alberta patients the space we all need.

Tom Nakashima, Edmonton

Councillor right to attend fundraiser

Re. “Some city councillors question Hamilton’s role in UCP event,” March 21

I was rather startled by Lauren Boothby’s review of concerns regarding Edmonton Coun. Sarah Hamilton’s participation in a recent UCP-sponsored event. It appears that Ms. Boothby did not attend and relied only on input from those who similarly were not present. They all should have known better.

The Politics and Prosecco event was a fundraiser and, more importantly, an awareness-raiser to help young women understand how participation in all levels of Alberta politics produces pathways to political success. Four women, including Premier Smith, spoke to how their individual journeys produced eventual success. It was an inspiring event that should be lauded, not attacked, because one participant could have appeared at some other event.

Minister Rebecca Schulz deserves full marks for this effort and results, the few dollars raised being insignificant compared with the enthusiasm generated among young Alberta women.

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Earle Snider, Edmonton

Promoting patient-blaming MLA scary

Re. “Rural MLA, former nurse tapped to aid LaGrange,” March 22

Hello, I’m from the government and I am not here to help. Proof of the comfort level of the UCP with this is the recent promotion of their MLA Chelsae Petrovic, who is infamous for stating that people with heart failure should take responsibility for their own problems.

The promotion: to assist the minister of Health with the provincial restructuring of the health-care system. Scary times.

Glenn Walmsley, St. Albert

Letters welcome

We invite you to write letters to the editor. A maximum of 150 words is preferred. Letters must carry a first and last name, or two initials and a last name, and include an address and daytime telephone number. All letters are subject to editing. We don’t publish letters addressed to others or sent to other publications. Email: letters@edmontonjournal.com

Article content

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Edmonton Journal – https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/saturdays-letters-shelving-south-edmonton-hospital-a-mistake