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Notley promises extra $90M a year to reduce waits in surgery, emergency wards

Mar 26, 2019 | 11:52 AM

CALGARY – Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley is promising to spend an additional $90 million a year on health to further reduce surgery wait times if the party is re-elected April 16.

Notley says the money would also go toward getting patients quicker care in emergency wards.

She forecasts almost 40,000 Albertans would get faster cancer, open-heart and cataract surgeries over the next three years.

The NDP plan builds on work already done to reduce wait times, particularly for breast cancer surgery.

Notley says her government would continue to fund specialized EMS liaison teams to care for patients in emergency wards so that ambulance crews could return to the street faster.

“We have made good progress fighting for quality public healthcare, but we know there is more to do,” said Notley. “These strategic investments will ensure better care for Albertans so they can heal, get back on their feet and return home to their families faster.”

“This election, the future of our public healthcare system is on the ballot. Mr. Kenney wants to privatize our healthcare system meaning less care for more cost. I won’t let this happen.”

United Conservative Leader Jason Kenney has said he wouldn’t cut health budgets, but would look to reduce administrative overlap and explore private care options to improve wait times.