Over the past few weeks we have received a number of “Anonymous” letters and telephone calls sent to us from what we understood to be staff at the care facility Mom was in.  As the writer(s) of these letters may feel that they are helping, the fact that they remain anonymous keeps the recipients from being unable to act upon what is written. 

We have also received copies of “Anonymous” letters sent at earlier dates to both the care facility owner, Capital Health Officials and Elder Advocates.  These letters were deemed substantial enough that the owner of the care center published an official open letter response to the staff of the care facility.  These are the letters which we have provided here.  Please take note that these documents are on the official stationary of the facility and signed by the owner.

                                       Staff Letter to Capital Health            Staff Letter To Own                        Owner Response to Staff Letter

To the authors of the additional letters;

We understand your concerns; however you are in a profession which requires you to act in an official capacity in order to protect the people in your charge.  If what you say in the letters is true, we need you to come forward with an identity to allow your concerns to be acted on. 

I have contacted on your behalf Heather Smith President of the United Nurses of Alberta.  Unfortunately it saddens her that you are not members of her union and thereby can not offer you the protection of that institution.

I have contacted Dan MacLennan, President of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees once by email and twice by phone.  For what ever reason, I have received no response at all to these requests.

I have also spoken in person to Marguerite Rowe-Chief Operating Officer Capital Health-Community Care, Rehabilitation & Mental Health Division.  She urges you to come forward as well.  She has personally assured me that your concerns, if done in an official capacity will be fully investigated and taken most seriously.  In addition, she informs me that there is “whistleblower” legislation which should protect your jobs.

My best suggestion is that you could write your own collective letter and all sign it.  This could include specific situations more than one person has witnessed and documents if possible.  Once you have done this, make your statement to the media and Capital Health.

Should one of you be terminated based on this action, all of you could leave and run (don’t walk) to your nearest media person to disclose this.

You said in your letter of March 9. 2005 to the owner of your facility, “I assure you, we are serious about our intent, and will not rest until our concerns have been addressed.  We will go to the press in Edmonton, both Television and Print Media, if necessary.”

Concerned Staff, the eyes of the Province and the Country are ON you now!  You have the ability to make the changes you see are needed. 

Do You Have The Courage To Stand?