Smoky Lake Healthcare

Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 243 (October 31, 2012) Whispering in the Wind Sorting out confusing statements has always been an important part of any healthcare discussion. Recently in the Smoky Lake area there has been a lot of discussion and a lot of confusion regarding the region’s healthcare facilities and the changes expected to take place in the next year or two, particularly the changes expected for the “community care” facilities within the Town of Smoky Lake. Let me try and explain what seems to be unfolding but remember; the issues are complex, confusing but significant and the information scanty. So it’s going to take two or three “Whispering in the Wind” columns (over the next few months) to address all of what I want say, please let me know your views and hopefully I won’t add to the confusion.

Issue 1: Who Owns What? Who’s Responsible? 
When it comes to healthcare in the Smoky Lake area there is really only one authority in charge and that is the provincial government’s Alberta Health Services (AHS) and its regional administrative arm, the Aspen Regional Health Authority. AHS owns and maintains two facilities in the area; the George McDougall Healthcare Center (an integrated health center often referred to as the Smoky Lake Hospital) is the core healthcare facility in the region. AHS also owns and maintains a separate “continuing care” facility that is referred to as the Nursing Home. Things get a lot more complicated when you introduce the Smoky Lake Foundation for Senior Citizens. The Foundation is a local organization and it owns and maintains a number of health related facilities in the Smoky Lake region – specifically the Bar V Nook Manor in Smoky Lake, the Lodge in Vilna (both are identified as “continuing care” facilities). The Foundation also owns and maintains a number of other affordable housing units in Smoky Lake, Vilna and Waskatenau. It is important to note that both the AHS’s Nursing Home and the Foundation’s Bar V Nook facility are out-of-date and will likely be phased out within the next few years. Sounds a little complex; it is, so let me summarize: The Smoky Lake Foundation for Senior Citizens indicate that they are in the “housing” business and they only provide and maintain the facilities while Alberta Health Services staff the facilities and provide all the healthcare services. All in all I feel that ownership and responsibility is not a major issue at this time but it could blow up if administrative issues aren’t well coordinated with all the stakeholders involved. What is an issue is having ongoing, creative, effective dialogue with all the stakeholders involved in healthcare business and that means; not only Alberta Health Services and the Smoky Lake Foundation but it is vital to include all the medical professionals in the community and of course, the “customers” who are paying the bills.

 Issue 2: The Foundation’s Latest Initiative 
The Foundation recently received a $7.4 million grant from the provincial government to build a new 40 unit “continuing care” building next to the existing Bar V Nook facility in Smoky Lake. It is interesting to note that the $7.4 million came from a housing authority rather than a healthcare authority and yet specific healthcare conditions were placed on the grant, like 20 of the 40 accommodation units must be dedicated to dementia patients. Nevertheless, the cost for constructing the new 40 unit structure is estimated at about $10 million and that means that there is going to be a $3 million shortfall – something that will have to be dealt with in short order. Rick Cherniwchan, Chairman of the Foundation, is confident that the financing issues can be addressed without any tax increases. In my view the math doesn’t add up unless you double or triple the rental rates for the residents of the new facility. Another interesting twist in the Foundation’s plan is the specification that asks for utility capacity to be double what necessary for a 40 unit structure. From my perspective it means that the 40 unit building that is expected to be operational in the next year or two will end up being a 90 or 100 units within 5 years. On the positive side it means the “antiquated” Nursing Home facility (owned by AHS) and the “antiquated” Bar V Nook lodge will most likely be phased out and gone within 5 years – that’s the good news. When it comes down to the construction of the 100 unit “continuing care” facility the Foundation is probably looking at a total price tag of 25 or 30 million dollars and all the Foundation has in the bank is $7.4 million – and that is a pretty risky financial strategy unless there is a worthy Plan B.