A plan to transport Jasperites to Edmonton for medical appointments will come before Alberta Health Services, however if the plan is approved, work won’t begin until at least Spring 2010.

The Jasper Health Advisory Committee invited MLA Robin Campbell to provide an update on their proposal to run a shuttle between Jasper and Edmonton for medical appointments. A year ago, Campbell said he would take the plan to the Ministry of Health, however the committee had yet to receive an update on its progress.

“We’ve finished the logistics part. We’re ready to sit down with Alberta Health Services. We have two routes we want to pilot,” Campbell said. “But were unlikely to see any discussion before next spring.”

On Friday, Campbell assured the committee that there was some support for the program, and that his office has done as much as possible at this time to advance the project. Under Campbell’s plan, three buses will run between Jasper and Edmonton several days a week transporting patients with medical appointments. The buses will likely stop in several communities along the way, such as Hinton and Edson. The second pilot project will see a route between High Level and Grande Prairie.

“It could serve 50,000 people,” Campbell said. “In the north, it’s a practical means to get people to medical centres of excellence.” 

He estimates the program could cost $1 million annually, and some logistics will need to be worked out. It has yet to be decided if the service will have user fees, and how many days the service will run.

“The issue of being able to park buses and whether we need a maintenance area. There’s going to have to be a garage and dedicated mechanical services with it,” Campbell said. “It’s an expensive proposition, but if it opens up access to health care... then it’s worth it.”

“One of the issues we face in Jasper, land is at a premium and we suffer because of that. We can’t offer some of the perks other communities can,” Campbell said.

Board member Roger Maltby said a similar program is run in Valemount one day a week. Most people are happy with that service, he said, as it allows seniors to maintain respect and dignity.

Changes to Alberta Health services and funding appear to be the biggest obstacles to the program, as Dr. Stephen Duckett, who has been charged with revamping Alberta Health Care, is looking for ‘cost efficiencies’ in the system. Campbell said Duckett needs to find the most bang for his buck.

Campbell will be meeting with Duckett on Nov. 11.

Mayor Richard Ireland said that puts rural Alberta at a disadvantage, because a spending in the city is able to reach more people.

Campbell said the province is in a bind.

“Nobody wants to be in debt, but they all want these services. We have to look at what are the needs and what are the wants. Looking at transportation for seniors and the disabled, I think there’s a real need there,” Campbell said.

Mayor Ireland asked if there is a measurable beyond money that can be used.

“I understand timing is not the best, but it seems the bean counters are looking at bottom line. Can we look in terms of health and social outcomes. There might be a way to monitor beneficial outcomes,” Mayor Ireland said.

Campbell said there has to be a wait and see approach.

“We’re looking to add something, and add cost, and people are going to have to get comfortable with it,” Campbell said.