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Tag: Alberta Health Services

Opinion: Closing long-COVID clinics a devastating blow to patients

I was dismayed to see Alberta Health Services’ decision to abruptly shut down the three long-COVID clinics and outpatient programs last week. This was done without any consultation, notice or consideration for those who access these crucial health care services.

As a long-COVID patient I was personally able to access their rehab services, which were incredibly helpful for me. Many may not realize how long-COVID impacts the entire body, and the extent of care supports many long-COVID patients require.

I went from being a very active person to being homebound and unable to work. The support I received through the clinic helped me regain some of my function and made my activities of daily living more manageable.

Through the clinic I was able to access cardiac and respiratory testing, as well as many rehabilitation therapists, including a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, recreational therapist (so critical when you’re housebound), a speech language pathologist, and a social worker.

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Fallout ensues after the closure of long-COVID outpatient program

Those suffering from long-COVID in Alberta are fighting back after the government informed them the Long-COVID Inter-Professional Outpatient Program was ending.

For some, COVID feels like a distant memory, a time when the world seemed to stop as everyone navigated the pandemic. Yet for many, it’s not in the rearview mirror, it’s still an ever-present reality and daily fight.

Jennifer Hare has had long-COVID for three years.

“Literally, my entire life is planned whereas before, I was a normal human being,” said Hare.

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Alberta shuts down long-COVID program

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is closing down its long-COVID outpatient program that had been operating since 2021.

In a letter to patients dated Aug. 8, AHS says the program has concluded.

“Your health and well-being remain a priority, and we are committed to ensuring you receive support during the transition,” it reads.

“We understand that this change might be challenging for some and thank you for your understanding and co-operation during this transition period.”

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Hundreds of long-COVID sufferers affected as AHS abruptly closes outpatient program

Confusion and frustration.

Those are the feelings that 56-year-old Calgary grandmother Barbara Pencala was left with after she learned on Wednesday via email that Alberta Health Services (AHS) is concluding its long COVID Inter-Professional Outpatient Program (IPOP).

The temporary initiative was set up in 2021 and was never meant to be permanent, but the news came as a surprise to hundreds of program patients, many of whom took to social media to express their concerns.

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Confirmed case of measles in Edmonton, AHS warns of public exposure

Alberta Health Services is warning the public that an individual with lab-confirmed measles has been in public settings in Edmonton while infectious.

In a Wednesday news release, officials sent out a list of locations and times of when the infected person was out in public and said residents who were at any of the locations during the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles:

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An Alberta New Year’s Wish for a Working Public Health System

When approving the advertising campaign, the government’s revisions “included the removal of details about vaccine eligibility, immunization locations by age group and the types of vaccines being offered and their efficacy against different strains of COVID-19 and influenza. Two lines that encouraged Albertans to book vaccination appointments were also deleted.”

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Hospital surge beds added as pressure grows in Alberta’s intensive care units

Alberta hospitals are squeezing in extra intensive care unit beds as respiratory virus cases balloon and ICUs fill up.

Alberta Health Services has added 17 adult surge beds since last week — 12 in Edmonton and 5 in Calgary— bringing the total to 240.

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Health-care workers on edge as number of Albertans hospitalized with COVID-19 doubles

Doctors and nurses are warning that Alberta’s health system is already under strain as COVID-19 hospitalizations surge and the respiratory virus season has yet to kick into high gear.

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Calgary doctor to challenge AHS mask policy change in court

You can’t be putting the responsibility for basic measures to protect people with disabilities and chronic disease… on them when a very minor, reasonable, easy-to-do accommodation can be just kept in place.

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