A Moment with the Mayor: Discussing healthcare in Lloydminster

The Lloydminster and District Health Advisory Council is preparing an evening event to discuss health issues within our city. Scheduled from 7-10 p.m. at the Legacy Centre (5101 46 Street) on Wednesday, May 18, this will be an opportunity to connect with our two respective provincial government ministers, our departments of health, and our health care providers, namely the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Alberta Health Services.

This event has been a long time in the making, and I would like to provide some of the background to the Lloydminster District Health Advisory Council (LDHAC) committee and their work up to this point.

I understand that in 2009 a committee was created under the Prairie North Health Region. The committee had representatives from the City of Lloydminster, County of Vermilion River, the RMs of Britannia and Wilton, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Lloydminster Region Health Foundation, and community members appointed by our respective Saskatchewan and Alberta MLAs. Committee members have worked tirelessly over the last number of years, meeting with the Ministry of Health, Department of Health staff and health care providers to raise concerns about health care issues that are near and dear to the hearts of the residents of our community and area.

Over the years, committee members have changed; however, they’ve all worked diligently. Today, the committee is preparing to share information and gain your input regarding current health issues and challenges facing our community.

The open house will highlight many issues with supporting information to help you understand the problems and the work being done today to achieve desired results.

Members of the LDHAC will be in attendance with display panels and information on the issues of health care currently on the committee’s radar. Additionally, the committee has invited our two MLAs, members of Saskatchewan and Alberta health, employees of Saskatchewan Health Authority and Alberta Health Services to discuss the issues and current actions to deal with the challenges today.

Opportunities to chat with, discuss and ask questions will occur all evening. You’ll have the opportunity to dialogue with committee members to help make our community a better place.

I hope you attend this important gathering and become informed and share your questions, concerns and experiences with the committee.