The Health Quality Council of Alberta has released its final report into the health care issues in the province.
In October, the HQCA released an interim report investigating a number of issues, including doctor intimidation, long Emergency Room wait times and a lack of long term health care beds.
After interviewing more than 2,000 doctors and extensive in-depth discussions with stakeholders, the HQCA made 21 recommendations.
In the final report released Wednesday, the concerns over unacceptably long wait times were justified.
It used the example of one patient who was left at the University of Alberta Hospital without being seen after a five hour wait and nearly died. That patient was resuscitated.
The report adds no deaths can be attributed to excessive wait times.
The second part of the report focused on lung cancer surgeries.
Current Liberal Leader Raj Sherman had alleged 1,200 patients were on a waiting list for lung surgery in Edmonton and 250 patients died while on the wait list.
The HQCA report says both those accusations are unfounded. The HQCA says its investigation shows mortality rates for Edmonton and Calgary were the same and are comparable to national averages.
As for doctor intimidation, the report says there have been widespread instances of physicians experiencing intimidation and muzzling when advocating for patients.
It suggests the massive reorganization within Alberta Health Services has led to problems.
It recommends no further major restructuring in the system and instead of a public inquiry, the council recommends a task force be set up to help clear lines of authority in the system and create a culture where people are seen to be and are treated appropriately.
It further says a public inquiry into these issues is neither required nor recommended.
In October, the HQCA released an interim report investigating a number of issues, including doctor intimidation, long Emergency Room wait times and a lack of long term health care beds.
After interviewing more than 2,000 doctors and extensive in-depth discussions with stakeholders, the HQCA made 21 recommendations.
In the final report released Wednesday, the concerns over unacceptably long wait times were justified.
It used the example of one patient who was left at the University of Alberta Hospital without being seen after a five hour wait and nearly died. That patient was resuscitated.
The report adds no deaths can be attributed to excessive wait times.
The second part of the report focused on lung cancer surgeries.
Current Liberal Leader Raj Sherman had alleged 1,200 patients were on a waiting list for lung surgery in Edmonton and 250 patients died while on the wait list.
The HQCA report says both those accusations are unfounded. The HQCA says its investigation shows mortality rates for Edmonton and Calgary were the same and are comparable to national averages.
As for doctor intimidation, the report says there have been widespread instances of physicians experiencing intimidation and muzzling when advocating for patients.
It suggests the massive reorganization within Alberta Health Services has led to problems.
It recommends no further major restructuring in the system and instead of a public inquiry, the council recommends a task force be set up to help clear lines of authority in the system and create a culture where people are seen to be and are treated appropriately.
It further says a public inquiry into these issues is neither required nor recommended.
For more information on the report and the panel's findings check out the Health Quality Council of Alberta website
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