Statement from Dr. Stephen Duckett
November 20, 2010
EDMONTON – Dr. Stephen Duckett, President and CEO of Alberta Health Services, earlier today posted an apology on his blog in response to comments he made Friday:
On November 19, Alberta Health Services had a meeting of clinical and operational leaders to develop new protocols to reduce Emergency Department wait times. The meeting made great progress. That success has to some extent been overshadowed by my poor responses to the media afterwards, which I deeply regret and for which I apologize unreservedly. I certainly respect the media's right to ask timely questions in the public interest.
We had made a decision earlier that a senior physician would provide comments to the media after the session. There were other issues and questions arising that day. However, it has been my practice that because I am not an elected official, I do not respond to comments from elected officials. I should have stopped to make all this clear.
Most regrettably, I did not convey what I deeply feel, which is the greatest respect for the difficult challenges our health care providers face every day, and their innumerable achievements, and what those challenges and achievements mean for our patients and their families. When I got back to my desk I finalized and uploaded a blog which conveys my feelings in my words.
We are all striving to do our best, but I know I got it wrong this time. Please accept this apology.
Dr. Stephen Duckett
President and CEO
Alberta Health Services
