January 11, 2010

Hello Everyone,

The telephone conference has taken place, it cleared up some problems, brought on others, all involved agree the same as before that unless such a facility exists in BC he should be kept put. The exact same information was given to the ministry on November 27, 2009. It has meant five weeks of unrest total chaos in my life and untold stress. We still must wait for a decision.

The problem is not that hard to see, a Government out of touch and not accountable to anyone for its carelessness or off the cuff decisions and comments.

Government is ultimately responsible (to be proven) for the accident leaving the victims in need, they control the insurance, both part 7 medical and liability or tort claim, they control the ability to advance monies for rehab and living expenses, but choose not to, they control the health system which includes rehab, they control access to home care funding for help looking after the injured when they return home, they control the court system and write into law some archaic rules that protect them from (ICBC is a government run insurance company the only one in town) claims and limits those who are covered are going to needed to access.
Like living under state control with no one person or elected official that is accountable?


This is Minister Falcon’s response to my brothers’ letter!

Dear Mr. Bigelow:

Thank you for your email of December 20, 2009, regarding the medical care for your nephew, Dr. Christopher Bigelow, at the Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain Injury (the Centre) in Ponoka, Alberta.

Your email provided an excellent history of your nephew’s medical needs, as he is working diligently to recover from a very serious accident. I can only imagine how important it is for your nephew to have family support for his efforts.

As you can understand, I am not able offer specific details to you about Christopher’s care due to confidentiality reasons; however, I can assure you that any decision about provincial funding for medical treatment at the Centre in Alberta will be directed by the medical recommendations from the attending specialist(s) at the Centre and the specialist(s) in British Columbia. The attending specialist physician at the Centre will discuss medical treatment recommendations with the specialist in British Columbia and if the physicians decide to discharge the patient, the specialist in British Columbia will arrange appropriate transfer for medical treatment to continue in British Columbia. Although the Centre in Ponoka offers a ‘slow stream’ program, similar rehabilitation services are certainly available at hospitals in British Columbia.

I respect that the discussion about your nephew’s care is a very serious concern to you, and assure you that the Ministry of Health Services will review the medical recommendations from the medical professionals before a final decision is made about funding treatment services at the Centre.

Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention and please accept my sincere best wishes for your nephews improved health in the future.

Sincerely,

Kevin Falcon, Minister

pc: Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier

Chris’ Uncle’s thoughts on the above:

Never asked for details, just wondered why if all the materials were in fact received by the health ministry then why was funding not extended. Because in fact the decision to extend was made by someone other than Chris’ Alberta doctor and his BC doctor and the medical recommendations from the attending specialist(s) at the Centre and the specialist(s) in British Columbia were never considered in the first place. Hence the need for more information to cover someone’s butt.

I would also ask for particulars of what hospitals in B.C. offer similar rehabilitation services; at least ones that Christopher would be eligible to receive treatment at... i.e. - G.F.Strong is the only facility I am aware of, and we know he would not qualify to get in there... Also, stating treatment is available and approving him for it, are two different things!

If such a place exists why then are those that are looking for it unable to locate it, including the health officials and staff to whom the applications are given to. Why are still more BC residents being transferred to Ponoka?

Hopefully cooler heads prevail in the reconsideration, really would like to have someone consider the facts and what we have been put through. Explaining all the previous decisions is probably too much to ask for.

Until tomorrow or if I hear something sooner,

Goodbye,

Kevin