Is health system’s ‘code of conduct’ designed to silence critics? (by Robert Parkyn)

Is health system’s ‘code of conduct’ designed to silence critics?
Written by Robert Parkyn
Saturday, 22 August 2009
The Alberta health board released its “code of conduct” for all employees, including physicians, registered nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, dietitians, etc.
Gagging freedom of speech, intimidation and employment concerns over possible repercussions for expressing one’s opinion is apparently now the order of the day for our premier, health minister and their health board.
Professional health workers have their own code of ethics, so why the health board’s code? Is it to promote fear and closed mouths in order to create less opposition regarding changes in our health system? Albertans should be alarmed at the steady erosion of our health system but also Alberta’s suspect state of democracy.
Registered nurses required as initially indicated by the government was 2,500 but the Aussie CEO of Alberta Health puts a freeze on hirings, bringing eastern provinces making offerings for employment to our RNs. Shades of prior years.
Don’t be fooled by slippery political tongues that health care is not sustainable or affordable. Other reasons are evident, such as costs for a multitude of government patronage committees and also even the political decision to not receive adequate oil and gas royalties.
It’s been stated that “dollars invested in health care generate about seven times as many jobs as if that dollar was invested in oil and gas extraction.” (Education, 5.5 times as many jobs per dollar — Ref: Parkland Institute)
Countries are spending billions to establish universal health care for their citizens to counter the recession.
Our health minister is doing the opposite, inflicting citizens and especially seniors with proposed drug-cost legislation and delisting of drugs and medical services, which plays into the hands of more costly private enterprises.
Citizens and certainly seniors must make noise . . . our health system is being eroded by the Stelmach government and its appointed puppet health board who are bent on cost savings at the expense of all citizens in this province.
Robert Parkyn
Lethbridge
Original

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