Click image for PDF copy of letters (English & Français).

By Jodie Sinnema, edmontonjournal.com

Doctors say the problems in Alberta's hospital emergency rooms are worsening, though a year has passed since physicians warned the province about a potential collapse of the system.

Frontline staff and Alberta Health Services administrators have improved the flow of emergency patients out of stretchers and into more suitable beds so that severely ill people are no longer having heart attacks or dying in the waiting room, as they were one year ago.

But with a September spike in emergency stretchers being plugged by patients who no longer need emergency care, Alberta is once again at risk of a crisis unless more long-term-care beds open, physicians say.

BC seniors care provider Elaine Price, RN with federal Minister of Seniors Alice Wong in Richmond, BC

Today is the first National Seniors Day in Canada - and International Day of Older Persons. The Canadian Alliance for Long Term Care (CALTC) marked the occasion by representing seniors care providers at a special event in Richmond, BC with the Hon. Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors.  CALTC Director and BC Care Providers Association CEO Ed Helfrich said, “This national day is an opportunity for all of us to recognize a great generation of Canadians and the important role seniors play in communities across the country.”  Minister Wong said, “National Seniors Day is an occasion for all Canadians to appreciate and celebrate seniors.  Canada’s seniors dedicated their lives to our country — they deserve our thanks as they continue to be influential mentors and leaders in our communities.”