CKNW, (June 29 2005).
VICTORIA(CKNW/AM980) - The NDP is crowing
over a Liberal government flip-flop.
Two days ago, New Democrat critic Adrian Dix raised
concerns about a planned transfer of Child and Youth
Mental Health Services from the Children and Families
Ministry to the Health Ministry.
Today, Health Minister George Abbott cancelled the move.
"I think it shows that the premier was being extremely
cavalier in making a very important decision about mental
health services in the government that he hadn't thought
the decision through and he caused as a result a lot of
anxiety for people who depend on those services."
Dix says the government should apologize for causing
that unnecessary anxiety.
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Liberal Flip Flop on Mental Health Services for
Children Demonstrates Need for Consultation.
June 29, 2005 - NDP
VANCOUVER – After pressure from the Opposition and
community stakeholders, the Premier and the Minister of
Health have reversed their decision to move Child and
Youth Mental Health services from the Ministry of Children
and Family Development to the Ministry of Health, said
NDP Children and Family Development critic and MLA
for Vancouver-Kingsway Adrian Dix today.
“The Premier’s plan contradicted the recommendations
of the Gove Report that insisted all child welfare services
operate under a single body to minimize the risk of children
and youth slipping through the system,” said Dix. “The
government made the initial decision without consulting
the public or those affected by the changes. They made
sweeping changes behind closed doors, without discussing
it with experts and stakeholders in the field.
“Yesterday, the Minister of Health was cavalier in his
defense of the decision and the Minister of Children and
Family Development was nowhere to be found. Today,
the Campbell government flip flopped. Clearly, this
decision was rushed and the result of a flawed process.
“The Campbell government continues to bring uncertainty
and disruption into the children’s ministry. To date, they
have failed to maintain stability in the ministry and today’s
reversal shows that they still don’t get it.
“Children, youth and their families receiving support need
consistency from government. If Gordon Campbell and
his ministers had consulted stakeholders, they would
have heard that message loud and clear.
today. The new NDP Opposition will work with stakeholders
to hold the government to account and represent the interests
of British Columbians.”
********************************************************
Gov't Flips on Child Mental Health Services
Jun, 29 2005 - 11:00 AM
VICTORIA(CKNWAM980) - Mental health services
for children and youth will be kept with the Ministry of
Children and Families, after all.
The BC Government yesterday announced that division
would be moved to the Ministry of Health, but today,
Health Minister George Abbott announced an "about-face",
saying the services will now be kept with the original
ministry.
"Government has heard from several stakeholders and
stakeholder groups that were concerned with the transfer.
Senior officials in government have discussed this matter
with these stakeholders and with other interested parties."
The NDP had complained the change would go against
the recommendations of the Gove Inquiry, which included
the advice to keep all services for children and youth with
the same Ministry. Just yesterday, Abbott defended the
move, saying it would increase efficiency.
*************************************************
NEW CROWN TO DELIVER, IMPROVE COMMUNITY
LIVING SERVICES.
Ministry of Children & Family Press Release
will begin delivering all provincial services to British Columbians
with developmental disabilities and working toward better meet-
ing their individual needs.
Hagen states: “Community Living BC is ready to deliver stable,
quality services now, through the same staff and locations as in
the past. Over time, it will implement a new service-delivery model
that provides more services and delivery options, better supporting
the hopes and dreams of individuals with developmental disabilities
and their families.”
************************************************************
Hmm, I'd like to hear Mr. Hagen tell the public about the readiness
of CLBC to take this task on. What's the infrastructure, or leader-
ship of CLBC looking like as in the services to THE most vulnerable
people change in such a drastic way. See some of my former posts
for links to some of the many readiness reports done leading up to
this.
You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't
fool all of the people all of the time, Mr. Hagen and those behind this
privatization. By no means is Hagen the mastermind behind this
scheme, he's just the mouthpiece, that's pretty clear, since all the
plans keep rolling with each change of minister. I wonder though
if they give MLA's and ministers receive education and training
in the values of ministerial responsibility to the public interest.
I'd put money on it that Gordon Campbell wouldn't waste time,
nor money on a thing like that. Some of his new MLA's might
actually get some ideas of their own about their responsibilities,
obligations and accountability to the public.
And, surprise, surprise, no press releases at all about the child and
youth mental health decisions from the government website. You'd
think with the well-paid flotilla of communications people in the
BC government they'd be able to get the news out to the people who
pay their salaries.
1 comment:
Iron services they really do work.
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