New health advocate will also handle mental health and seniors
By GILLIAN SLADE on November 30, 2019.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade A former United Conservative Party executive was recently appointed the health advocate in Alberta. Janice Harrington is the new health advocate, mental health patient advocate, and with the seniors advocate not being reappointed, any issues from seniors will also be handled by her office. Drew Barnes, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, forwarded a response from the health ministry, which says Harrington has the skills necessary for the job. “I know Janice and believe her extensive leadership, communications and stakeholder work will serve well as she works directly with Albertans to ensure our health system meets their needs,” said Steve Buick, the ministry’s press secretary in an emailed statement. “The Health Advocate must be a voice for Albertans and be capable of effectively engaging government, the public and other stakeholders. Ms. Harrington has extensive experience working in media, public relations and marketing.” Barnes says rolling the seniors advocate office into that of the health advocate was to “limit administration costs and to streamline services for seniors as they tend to overlap.” There was no press release about the appointment of Harrington. “I can’t speak to the government’s decision to send out a news release or not. I will ask them to be more communicative and transparent, especially with mid-market-size media,” said Barnes. The office of the health advocate “promotes self-advocacy and supports Albertans in dealing with their concerns about health services,” according to the government’s website. This is achieved by listening to concerns, providing supports and finding resolutions. The office also provides information about the Alberta Health Charter. It refers people to the appropriate complaints resolution process, reviews and investigates complaints and provides information about health-care services. Harrington reports to Minister of Health Tyler Shandro. If you were to contact the office of the health advocate you would be connected to a “health advocate representative,” who would listen to your concern. A determination is then made to learn more about your concern before developing a plan of action. “The health service system is complex and difficult to understand, particularly for those who are suffering, in pain and are vulnerable. The Health Advocate assists individuals to find their way to the appropriate health services, health-related programs and resources to meet their expressed needs,” states the website. The health advocate does not represent someone at court or tribunals and cannot reverse a clinical or administrative decision. The office cannot take action against a health service provider, nor apply any fines or penalties. The office of the Alberta Health Advocate is located at 10055-106th Street, Edmonton. The office is open Monday to Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but closed for lunch between noon and 1 p.m. They can be reached by email info@albertahealthadvocates.ca or telephone: 780-422-1812 or toll-free: 310-0000, then 780-422-1812. https://www.albertahealthadvocates.ca/advocates/Pages/Health%20Advocate.aspx 16-15
