Why would Alberta allow for attrition of #abhealth nurses rather than just lay them off?
Well, #AbLeg. Let me introduce to you former Premier Mike Harris, mid-1990's Ontario and the economic costs of hospital restructuring.
Well, #AbLeg. Let me introduce to you former Premier Mike Harris, mid-1990's Ontario and the economic costs of hospital restructuring.
Shortly after assuming office in 1995, `Mike the Knife` moved swiftly to close several hospitals, lay off hundreds of nurses and dramatically reduce health care costs.
(Image Source: @macleans)
(Image Source: @macleans)
In response to public antipathy, Mike said:
"Just as Hula-Hoops went out & those workers had to have a factory...that would manufacture something else... governments have put off these decisions for so many years that restructuring sometimes is painful."
-@globeandmail (1997)
"Just as Hula-Hoops went out & those workers had to have a factory...that would manufacture something else... governments have put off these decisions for so many years that restructuring sometimes is painful."
-@globeandmail (1997)
Yes. Mike compared hospital nurses to workers in hula-hoop factories.
His 'Common Sense Revolution' established Ontario's first Health Services Restructuring Commission to immediately cut health-care spending.
His 'Common Sense Revolution' established Ontario's first Health Services Restructuring Commission to immediately cut health-care spending.
It is estimated that nearly $2 billion was spent by the Commission just to close Ontario hospitals and fire hospital workers at the time.
Source:
policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/…
Source:
policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/…
But, Ontario's hospital restructuring didn't go to plan. Ontario became sicker than anticipated and desperately needed skilled nursing care.
By 2000, Ontario was the epicentre of national healthcare crisis.
bmj.com/content/320/72…
By 2000, Ontario was the epicentre of national healthcare crisis.
bmj.com/content/320/72…
Enter @AllanMRock... then Federal Minister of Health. Allan was gravely concerned that permanent cuts to nursing would tank Canadian healthcare.
He proposed massive, immediate investment in home care.
dx.doi.org/10.1503%2Fcmaj…
He proposed massive, immediate investment in home care.
dx.doi.org/10.1503%2Fcmaj…
Around this time, @picardonhealth also published a highly-influential book called "Critical Care" which was a rallying call for Canada to rapidly invest in it's nursing workforce.
longwoods.com/content/16287/…
longwoods.com/content/16287/…
Of course, Mike Harris balked at home care investments.... saying it was a 'boutique' program.
Meanwhile, @AllanMRock noted how he couldn't invest in Ontario health-care while it was being systematically destroyed by Harris' thousand cuts.
cbc.ca/news/canada/ro…
Meanwhile, @AllanMRock noted how he couldn't invest in Ontario health-care while it was being systematically destroyed by Harris' thousand cuts.
cbc.ca/news/canada/ro…
Ontario's health-care crisis ultimately cost Mike Harris his job as Premier. He was voted out in a landslide by 2002.
By 2012, Mike Harris bought a private home care franchise. He has supported the privatization of community care services ever since.
thestar.com/news/canada/20…
By 2012, Mike Harris bought a private home care franchise. He has supported the privatization of community care services ever since.
thestar.com/news/canada/20…
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
