Lloyd health lobby to chat with Hindley

Lloydminster and District Health Advisory Council chair, Paul Richer, is banking on the squeaky wheel getting the grease formula to see some investments in health services come our way.

Richer planned to bring a list of health services gaps in our region to the attention of Everett Hindley, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, in Regina on Jan. 25.

Richer went with Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers, Lloydminster Region Health Foundation CEO, Stephanie Munro, and former Lloyd Ex manager, Mike Sidoryk for an in-person meeting.

“We’re preparing a draft letter of the top three or four items because we only have 30 minutes with the minister. We have to pare down some achievable things we’re looking for,” said Richer in advance.

Aalbers said he too wants to bring awareness to the minister of those leading issues.

“The importance is highlighting those important points and making sure we hope - fully get some commitment from him on something going forward, even if it’s not tomorrow, but into the future that they realize these issues need to be addressed,” said Aalbers.

The Lloyd contingent planned to hand Hindley a complete list of 12 needed health services, along with some historical context of promising past plans that haven’t panned out.

“We’re going to give him the entire package out of our wish list, including historical data as to why we’re deserving, in our opinions, with studies in 2007 and 2013 that haven’t generally been worked on,” said Richer.

He told the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society’s meeting on Jan. 17 that the top priorities they will share with the minister are for his specific intervention, starting with mental health stabilization beds.

“In Lloydminster, as you know, in 2013, it was identified Lloydminster should have 10 beds at that time, never mind now. There’s been nothing that ever happened at all, zero,” he said.

Richer pointed out we are still waiting for that one, and also added our city doesn’t even have a Police and Crisis Team (PACT) with the RCMP, which he notes is unusual for a city of our size.

The No. 2 priority for Hindley’s attention is to request a public announcement on expediting an upgrade to the 2013 Lloydminster Integrated Health Services and Facility Infrastructure Needs Assessment.

“That’s winnable and we’re hearing some good things and I want them to mention when they will finish,” said Richer.

Saskatchewan Health Authority and Alberta Health Services have previously confirmed the Lloyd region will need an additional 60 long-term care spaces by 2025 and 148 by 2035.

The third priority is making bi-provincial medical file sharing a reality in the city.

Richer says “it’s been a dog for everyone” especially for Alberta residents.

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