Alberta refuses to pay health officials, while politicians get pay raise

chrisbb · 06-13-2008, 05:13 PM

Alta. can't afford top docs
Health minister blames pay demands; critics skeptical
Archie McLean, With files from Jason Markusoff and the , The Edmonton Journal; With files from The Calgary Herald
Published: Wednesday, June 11, 2008
EDMONTON - Salary demands, not departmental upheaval, led to the ousters of three of the province's top public health physicians, Health Minister Ron Liepert says.

"There is a limit as to what the government of Alberta can pay for certain positions," Liepert said Tuesday.

"As much as we hate to lose them, this is just normal process where, if you can find a better opportunity, you take it."

Despite Liepert's comments, questions continued to swirl around the doctors' departure. Critics were skeptical of his explanation and questioned why the government is losing good people when Alberta is in desperate need of health professionals.

The losses are particularly galling, they say, in light of cabinet's recent pay raises of 30 to 34 per cent.

Dr. Karen Grimsrud, the acting provincial health officer, Dr. Gloria Keays, the deputy provincial health officer, and Dr. Ameet Singh, an infectious disease medical consultant, are all leaving Alberta Health and Wellness in the coming months.

Their departure comes on the heels of the loss of a fourth senior public health official, Dr. Shainoor Virani, who left earlier this year. Virani now works for the Public Health Agency of Canada in Edmonton.

Singh appeared to contradict Liepert when she told a TV station Tuesday that she hasn't been offered any other jobs and that money wasn't the only reason she's leaving her post.

Either way, their departure is "a grade-A, unmitigated disaster for public health," said Dr. Allan Nicholson, a former medical health officer.

"These are their top people gone in one fell swoop. And the way things are going in health right now, they're going to have a hard time replacing them."

Nicholson was the medical officer of health in the Northern Lights Health Region until about a year ago, when he retired to private practice. He said Grimsrud's job comes with a steep learning curve and that her best possible replacements are all leaving with her.

Nicholson was skeptical of Liepert's explanation for their departures.

"Nobody goes into public health to make money. And to suggest that these people are leaving because they're not making enough money is a dreadful remark."

The health department has been undergoing massive organizational changes. In three months at the helm, Liepert has eliminated the province's nine health regions in favour of a provincewide board and also taken provincial control of ambulance services.

He has promised bigger changes are on the way. The departing doctors' contracts are up in August, Liepert said, and the department has been negotiating for several months to resolve the impasse. He denied that upheaval in the ministry had anything to do with them leaving.

Liepert also said the doctors' contract demands were unrelated to pay hikes cabinet members recently gave themselves. Liepert and other ministers now make $184,000 annually after a $42,000 salary jump. Premier Ed Stelmach makes $213,450 a year, the highest of any premier in Canada.

The three doctors were on contract with the health ministry and their salaries are private, a spokeswoman for the department said. But other public health officials are well-compensated for their work.

chrisbb · 06-13-2008, 05:14 PM

In 2006, Ontario's top public health official, Dr. Sheela Basrur, made $282,100. Manitoba's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Joel Kettner, made $282,533 and his counterpart with the city of Toronto made $225,801.

Liepert said paying the Alberta doctors what they wanted would have "put everything out of whack."

Speaking in Calgary, Stelmach said losing doctors is part of a larger labour problem in the province.

Public health officials are involved work such as vaccinations, emergency planning and preparedness and health promotion and prevention.

The province's decision to let its top people go signals the government's unwillingness to invest in health prevention, Alberta Liberal MLA David Swann said.

"Most physicians, if they believe they are making a difference and are supported in their role, will not be focused on money," he said.

"I have to believe that the most important element here is the lack of commitment to public health."

Swann, a medical doctor and former medical officer of health in the Palliser Health Region, said without proper support from the department, the physicians likely felt morally and legally obligated to leave.

NDP Leader Brian Mason said their departures hint at bigger changes in the health department, possibly a move towards greater privatization.

"These are some of the best people in the province, the best in Canada," Mason said.

"I think their departure is like the death of the canary in the mine shaft. It may signal a much more serious problem which is emerging under the surface

Alta. can't afford top docs

chrisbb · 06-13-2008, 05:15 PM

so the politicians can give themselves a pay raise behind closed doors, but they cant pay doctors?

aloysious · 06-13-2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisbb

so the politicians can give themselves a pay raise behind closed doors, but they cant pay doctors?

Why should "they" pay the docs? Wht don't the docs just make what they earn?

michelemichele · 06-13-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisbb

so the politicians can give themselves a pay raise behind closed doors, but they cant pay doctors?

Ah, Alberta. Home of the Harpers.

Jonesy · 06-14-2008, 07:13 AM

Money does not mix well with medicine.

chrisbb · 06-14-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aloysious

Why should "they" pay the docs? Wht don't the docs just make what they earn?

healthcare my friend. one good thing about living in canada

chrisbb · 06-14-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelemichele

Ah, Alberta. Home of the Harpers.

37 straight years of these idiots. sigh

ciaobox2007 · 06-14-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisbb

37 straight years of these idiots. sigh

what were the doctors' salaries?

chrisbb · 06-14-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciaobox2007

what were the doctors' salaries?

dont know for sure, but here are salaries for them elsewhere in canada

In 2006, Ontario's top public health official, Dr. Sheela Basrur, made $282,100. Manitoba's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Joel Kettner, made $282,533 and his counterpart with the city of Toronto made $225,801.

06-13-2008, 05:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
chrisbb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,527 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 65 Thanked 48 Times in 36 Posts	Alberta refuses to pay health officials, while politicians get pay raise Alta. can't afford top docs Health minister blames pay demands; critics skeptical Archie McLean, With files from Jason Markusoff and the , The Edmonton Journal; With files from The Calgary Herald Published: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 EDMONTON - Salary demands, not departmental upheaval, led to the ousters of three of the province's top public health physicians, Health Minister Ron Liepert says. "There is a limit as to what the government of Alberta can pay for certain positions," Liepert said Tuesday. "As much as we hate to lose them, this is just normal process where, if you can find a better opportunity, you take it." Despite Liepert's comments, questions continued to swirl around the doctors' departure. Critics were skeptical of his explanation and questioned why the government is losing good people when Alberta is in desperate need of health professionals. The losses are particularly galling, they say, in light of cabinet's recent pay raises of 30 to 34 per cent. Dr. Karen Grimsrud, the acting provincial health officer, Dr. Gloria Keays, the deputy provincial health officer, and Dr. Ameet Singh, an infectious disease medical consultant, are all leaving Alberta Health and Wellness in the coming months. Their departure comes on the heels of the loss of a fourth senior public health official, Dr. Shainoor Virani, who left earlier this year. Virani now works for the Public Health Agency of Canada in Edmonton. Singh appeared to contradict Liepert when she told a TV station Tuesday that she hasn't been offered any other jobs and that money wasn't the only reason she's leaving her post. Either way, their departure is "a grade-A, unmitigated disaster for public health," said Dr. Allan Nicholson, a former medical health officer. "These are their top people gone in one fell swoop. And the way things are going in health right now, they're going to have a hard time replacing them." Nicholson was the medical officer of health in the Northern Lights Health Region until about a year ago, when he retired to private practice. He said Grimsrud's job comes with a steep learning curve and that her best possible replacements are all leaving with her. Nicholson was skeptical of Liepert's explanation for their departures. "Nobody goes into public health to make money. And to suggest that these people are leaving because they're not making enough money is a dreadful remark." The health department has been undergoing massive organizational changes. In three months at the helm, Liepert has eliminated the province's nine health regions in favour of a provincewide board and also taken provincial control of ambulance services. He has promised bigger changes are on the way. The departing doctors' contracts are up in August, Liepert said, and the department has been negotiating for several months to resolve the impasse. He denied that upheaval in the ministry had anything to do with them leaving. Liepert also said the doctors' contract demands were unrelated to pay hikes cabinet members recently gave themselves. Liepert and other ministers now make $184,000 annually after a $42,000 salary jump. Premier Ed Stelmach makes $213,450 a year, the highest of any premier in Canada. The three doctors were on contract with the health ministry and their salaries are private, a spokeswoman for the department said. But other public health officials are well-compensated for their work. __________________ Doing Things Together and With You
	Top

06-13-2008, 05:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
chrisbb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,527 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 65 Thanked 48 Times in 36 Posts	In 2006, Ontario's top public health official, Dr. Sheela Basrur, made $282,100. Manitoba's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Joel Kettner, made $282,533 and his counterpart with the city of Toronto made $225,801. Liepert said paying the Alberta doctors what they wanted would have "put everything out of whack." Speaking in Calgary, Stelmach said losing doctors is part of a larger labour problem in the province. Public health officials are involved work such as vaccinations, emergency planning and preparedness and health promotion and prevention. The province's decision to let its top people go signals the government's unwillingness to invest in health prevention, Alberta Liberal MLA David Swann said. "Most physicians, if they believe they are making a difference and are supported in their role, will not be focused on money," he said. "I have to believe that the most important element here is the lack of commitment to public health." Swann, a medical doctor and former medical officer of health in the Palliser Health Region, said without proper support from the department, the physicians likely felt morally and legally obligated to leave. NDP Leader Brian Mason said their departures hint at bigger changes in the health department, possibly a move towards greater privatization. "These are some of the best people in the province, the best in Canada," Mason said. "I think their departure is like the death of the canary in the mine shaft. It may signal a much more serious problem which is emerging under the surface Alta. can't afford top docs __________________ Doing Things Together and With You
	Top

06-13-2008, 05:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
chrisbb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,527 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 65 Thanked 48 Times in 36 Posts	so the politicians can give themselves a pay raise behind closed doors, but they cant pay doctors? __________________ Doing Things Together and With You
	Top

06-14-2008, 07:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jonesy Truth Lion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,554 Thanks: 10 Thanked 32 Times in 23 Posts	Money does not mix well with medicine.
	Top

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