A Lethbridge man who suffered from terrible back pain for more than four decades is believed to be the first patient in Canada to undergo spinal surgery while conscious. Surgeon Dr. Michael Yang says he performed Todd Bene’s procedure in February at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary with a local anesthetic only. According to Alberta […]Read More
The outbreak of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, continues in our region. Alberta Health Services says the virus is quite serious, especially for younger people. Dr. Viven Suttorp, Medical Officer of Health for the South Zone says outbreaks typically happen every three to five years normally in communities where there are low immunization rates. […]Read More
Quitting smoking can be one of the hardest decisions a person can make in their lifetime. National Non-Smoking Week runs until January 23 and Dr. Allison Gonsalves, the medical officer of health for the South Zone with Alberta Health Services told us about the health risks associated with tobacco and smoking. “Smoking and commercial tobacco […]Read More
The Alberta government announced a new program to help free up ambulances and paramedics to more quickly respond to emergency situations. Alberta Health Services will now arrange for alternative transportation for non-medical patients to make sure that EMS can attend more urgent matters. These new modes of transportation would be in the form of transport […]Read More
The extreme cold temperatures we have been experiencing lately in Southern Alberta can affect people quite quickly including the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Officials from Alberta Health Services offered up some tips on how to best protect yourself from these dangerous situations when you’re out braving the cold weather. “We always ask people to […]Read More
It’s the news that she never expected to hear, stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and given just months to live. A Nobleford mother is now sharing her journey of being diagnosed with the disease. Amanda Lange talks about how it has changed her life and how she hopes to be remembered. As BCN’s Angela Stewart […]Read More
A flag-raising ceremony took place Thursday morning at Chinook Regional Hospital. Alberta Health Services says this is one of the many steps needed to bring systematic changes to the healthcare system. A member of the Blackfoot Confederacy Council says they are making the steps to eventually bridge those gaps within the system as we work […]Read More
HALO and HERO, the other two emergency helicopter services here in our province besides STARS are set to receive additional funding from the Alberta government. Premier Jason Kenney and Health Minister Jason Copping were in Medicine Hat on Thursday to make the announcement. HALO will be given $1 million and a guaranteed contract with Alberta […]Read More
The Lethbridge Police Service is partnering with Alberta Health Services in our city to help out those who are battling mental health and addiction issues. An LPS constable is paired with a mental health therapist from AHS to service high risk clients. The program, which began in 2018, is called the Police and Crisis Team. […]Read More
We’ve brought you stories in the past about AHS health care workers who have spoken out about not wanting to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Marilyn Markell is a Clinical Nurse Educator for Alberta Health Services. She teaches long term care based out of Red Deer. She graduated from the University of Alberta in 1986 with […]Read More
Hundreds of people gathered at Galt Gardens in Lethbridge on Monday night to protest government restrictions and their right to freedom of choice. Micah Quinn has the details.Read More
Earlier in October, Bridge City News (BCN) shared with you the story of Haley Mock, a healthcare worker in a long-term care home in rural Alberta. She is refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine that is mandatory to keep her job. She says she is twice shy about vaccines due to an adverse reaction from […]Read More
UPDATE: On October 22, Alberta Health Services announced that it is extending its mandatory COVID-19 immunization deadline to November 30. The extension will apply to all AHS employees, medical and midwifery staff, students, contractors and health care providers. It will also apply to around 28,000 casual employees who work for Alberta Health Services. Alberta Health […]Read More
A group called Fight For The Frontline is challenging Alberta Health Services on their decision to implement mandatory vaccinations for frontline workers. As Micah Quinn explains, two local first responders in our city are fighting back against AHS and the group has sent a letter to the head of the AHS, Dr. Verna Yiu, demanding […]Read More
An Alberta nurse sits down with Jeannette Rocher to talk about alleged misinformation and bullying that she sees within the Alberta healthcare system. Private healthcare, vaccine mandates, and euthanasia are all discussed in this video. Nurse “Carole” asks “Are you okay with unvaccinated healthcare staff, or will you be left with no one?” Nurse […]Read More
According to healthcare workers who are opposed to mandatory vaccinations, we could see a drop in on-duty staff in Alberta beginning this month. One worker who says that part of the rural hospital she is employed at could potentially be shut down, once she, and other staff are placed on unpaid leave of absence for […]Read More
Lethbridge City Council voted unanimously to send a complaint to the Alberta Ombudsman regarding the decision by AHS on centralizing Ambulance dispatch services. Mayor Chris Spearman brought forward the motion following both the City of Red Deer and M.D. of Wood Buffalo which also sent in a complaint to the Ombudsman. With Jason Copping […]Read More
Mental health is on the forefront for many people in Alberta, especially after the last 19 months of dealing with the pandemic. Alberta Health Services has announced two new virtual workshops to help identify and transform stress that many may be feeling. Education Consultant with the Mental Health Promotions, Alberta Health Services, Colleen Pruden, […]Read More
About 300 people came together outside City Hall on Wednesday afternoon for a silent protest in response to the mandatory vaccinations for healthcare workers in Alberta and Albertans freedom of rights. Protesters voiced their displeasure with pandemic protocols and widespread mandates. The protests come following a recent announcement from Alberta Health Services requiring […]Read More
We’re updating a story we first brought you yesterday. Alberta Finance Minister Travis Toews released a statement calling for a wage freeze for the first three years for nurses, and a wage increase in years four and five. The United Nurses of Alberta shot back, calling the statement by Toews misleading. The UNA says Alberta […]Read More
A new National Truth and Reconciliation Day statutory holiday was announced in September. The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees alleges that some employers are choosing to not acknowledge it. According to AUPE, Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health and the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) plan to either not give staff time off for […]Read More
A group of concerned citizens rallied outside the Provincial Building in Lethbridge on Friday expressing their concerns with the Government of Alberta ending all COVID-19 requirements including testing and isolation on Aug. 16. Rallies have been happening across Alberta for the past week and a half following the announcement from Dr. Deena Hinshaw to end […]Read More
Extendicare employees working in Albertan aren’t pleased with the latest announcement that 4 per cent of employee wages will be cut by Canada’s largest private home care provider. The cuts come shortly after Alberta Health Services offered a similar package to AUPE members working in AHS General Support Services. Vice-President with the Alberta Union […]Read More
A new partnership between Alberta RCMP’s Regional Police and Crisis Teams and Alberta Health Services has been created to help deal and treat people who are suffering from mental health when arriving at a call. A new initiative to provide the right care for someone suffering with mental health has been launched by the […]Read More
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is laying the blame for recent facility and bed closures in rural Alberta at the feet of AHS and Health Minister Tyler Shandro. This has resulted in a shortage of staff and the closure of facilities and beds. Mike Dempsey, Vice-President of AUPE, says there hasn’t been any closures of […]Read More
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