Dr. Taft: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. The uncertainty continues to swirl around Alberta Health Services’ decision to consolidate cataract surgeries in fewer clinics. 

There are serious concerns that the emphasis was more on cutting costs than on protecting public safety.

My question to the Minister of Health and Wellness: is it true that the clinics that won the cataract bids are reusing the equipment they use in cataract surgeries, or are they meeting the same standards as cataract surgery in public hospitals, which is to use disposable equipment?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, there are very specific standards regarding that particular question, and I discussed it with some ophthalmologists, in fact, on the weekend. In some cases they use stainless steel, and those particular blades are chucked out at the end of the operation. In other cases they might be using diamond blades, and in those cases they can be sterilized and reused. That’s my understanding from the ophthalmologists. They are very closely scrutinized in that regard by the college.

Dr. Taft: Okay. Well, when the minister is looking into it, he should ask about the use of cannulas and other equipment in addition to the blades.

What does the minister say in response to reports that Alberta Health Services is planning to close the cataract surgery program in Wetaskiwin? Is this true?

Mr. Zwozdesky: I haven’t heard any such news whatsoever. In fact, I’m surprised to have it raised, but I can assure him that it’ll be looked into immediately.

Dr. Taft: To the same minister. Given that there are growing reports that Alberta Health Services is planning to save money by charging patients for the lenses that are implanted during cataract surgery, will the minister reassure Albertans that he will put a stop to any such plan?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, again, speaking with ophthalmologists over the last couple of weeks, I’ve asked some of these same questions. There is a standard lens that is provided and covered, paid for by the public payer. That’s us, essentially. If, however, the patient wants or requires an upgraded lens, then they simply are asked to pay the difference, but that is a patient’s choice. Otherwise, they have a standardized lens that works perfectly well in most cases. But, again, some of it is patient choice.

Alberta Hansard, April 15, 2010

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