Ottawa hospital invites Alberta health workers after Smith’s comments
Posted October 25, 2022 10:37 am.
The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) made an appeal to Alberta healthcare workers Monday, offering a move to Ottawa if they feel “discouraged” with their careers in the province.
Dr. Alex Munter, president of the pediatric health centre at CHEO, made the remarks on Twitter seemingly in response to Premier Danielle Smith’s comments blaming Alberta Health Services (AHS) for the state of the province’s healthcare system.
#Alberta Health Services staff: If you feel discouraged because you’re being blamed for healthcare problems rather than being thanked for 2 ½ years of tireless work…
We’d welcome your dedication and expertise at @CHEO!
Apply here: https://t.co/AXkACoZIbY.
#yeg #yyc pic.twitter.com/CWvxxCdZup— Alex Munter (@AlexMunter) October 24, 2022
“#Alberta Health Services staff: If you feel discouraged because you’re being blamed for healthcare problems rather than being thanked for 2 ½ years of tireless work… We’d welcome your dedication and expertise at @CHEO!” Munter tweeted.
Smith has said AHS failed to fulfill cabinet direction to increase hospital capacity as COVID-19 cases soared, while healthcare staff was depleted because of mandatory vaccination rules.
CHEO’s appeal to Alberta healthcare workers comes on the heels of the Alberta is Calling campaign to attract skilled workers from other provinces, including Ontario, to Alberta.
Meanwhile, healthcare unions across the province say an overhaul of AHS could further destabilize the healthcare system, which is already in crisis.