CALGARY – A lberta Health Services has taken the unusual step of filing legal action to fend off the possible bankruptcy and closure of a clinic that provides one-third of Calgary's hip and knee operations, saying it needs to keep it open for waiting patients.
"We are here to protect the interests of our patients and are working to ensure they have continued, uninterrupted access to patient care," said Deb Gordon, a senior vice-president with the health board.
On Monday, the Court of Queen's Bench will hear the health board's request that a major accounting firm be appointed interim receiver for Networc Health, to supervise its surgical facility -- the Health Resource Centre -- for the remainder of the year.
It has also asked the court to stay any bankruptcy proceedings against Networc Health.
According to an affidavit from the health board, if the Health Resource Centre stopped performing procedures, "many patients in the Calgary region will have to wait longer for surgery, and the provision of health services in the region generally will be significantly disrupted."
The fracas has reignited a long-standing debate about relying on private clinics to provide public health services.
"There's no stability in private delivery of a public service," said Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann.
"It mostly points a finger at a government that really doesn't know what it's doing."
READ FULL STORY HERE
No comments:
Post a Comment