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AHS Reverses Controversial Hospital Food Policy After Public Outcry
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has scrapped a planned policy that would have restricted food and drink access for emergency room patients and pediatric cancer patients following widespread backlash. The now-rescinded policy, that was approved in September 2024, was set to take effect Tuesday.
Under the proposed changes, emergency department patients would no longer have been provided meals, regardless of how long they waited for care. Pediatric cancer patients would also have lost access to snacks, juice, and soda while receiving treatment. News of the policy sparked scathing criticism across social media, editorial pages, and blogs.
In a statement Tuesday, AHS interim president and CEO André Tremblay said the policy was developed before his tenure and was intended to reduce food waste, not deprive patients of meals.
“After media reports surfaced, the Minister of Health raised concerns and asked me to look into reports that food and drink may not have been made available to patients,” Tremblay said. “I have reviewed this policy and, after feedback from clinicians, have decided that AHS will not move forward with these changes.”
The reversal came just one day after the policy was publicly reported, with Tremblay emphasizing that hospitals will continue providing food and drinks as usual. Critics had accused AHS of prioritizing cost-cutting over patient care, particularly in cases involving vulnerable groups like children undergoing cancer treatment.
AHS says it remains committed to delivering high-quality care and is now reviewing how the policy was communicated to avoid future misunderstandings. The health authority has not indicated whether alternative measures to reduce waste will be introduced.
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