Thread by @albertaNDP

An Airdrie man has suffered severe complications after his surgery was delayed and his follow-up care cancelled due to the UCP’s mishandling of the COVID pandemic and its impact on the Alberta healthcare system.

#ableg #abhealth #cdnhealth #covid19ab

Scott Whynott, 56, required heart bypass surgery in 2020, but his operation was repeatedly delayed by the second wave of the pandemic.

“Three times I was scheduled and three times my surgery was postponed because we were in the second wave of COVID,” Whynott said.

After he eventually got into surgery, Whynott was isolated from his family due to visitor restrictions, and then wasn’t able to receive the usual post-surgical care.

“Because of COVID, the government started shutting down healthcare services. I couldn’t take part in the cardiac rehabilitation program. The gym was closed and all rehab programs were shut down."

“So eight-and-a-half days after major quintuple bypass heart surgery where I was left with incisions from my neck to my navel, on my legs and my arm. I was sent home. All aftercare support was taken away. COVID and the government saw to that. I felt like I was abandoned."

“My legs reopened and stayed open for seven months. They became septic and now, although the wounds have healed, so much damage was done that I will never walk easily again - and I’ll never be able to work again."

“I know that had I been able to get the proper rehab that should have taken place, I wouldn’t be in this situation I am now. I’m grateful to be alive, of course, but this last year has taken a huge toll on my health and my family’s health."

"This government made this about politics not about people. Albertans are people, not numbers."

“And the extra sad thing is we know we are not the only people who have gone through this in these two years of hell. We’ve lost friends who’ve passed away because they couldn’t get the care they needed in time.”