No department avoided the Alberta government’s budget without feeling the pinch, and that includes Alberta Health Services (AHS). These cuts have had far reaching effects and are even felt right here at the Drumheller Health Centre. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Department is taking steps to minimize wear and tear and save electricity on their treadmills and other equipment by what AHS is calling “aggregated occupational exertion” or treadmill sharing. It has taken a few weeks for patients to synchronize their stepping and they have had one minor injury, which was exacerbated by a patient attempting to use a walking stick. Right now, they are waiting to receive specially designed exercise bikes with multiple seats and pedals. (l-r) Cardiac Rehab head Colleen MacDonald coaches Fred Minor, Cathy Clift, Betty Eremko and Cliff Deitz in their work out regime. And if you have read this far into the story, we hope you realize this is an April Fool’s Joke.
