Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper says he's trying to help residents who are concerned that local doctor Clarence Graff has been unable to obtain hospital privileges – the ability to personally take care of his patients in the hospital.
"I've tried to make some connections through to AHS (Alberta Health Services). It certainly hasn't reached the minister's desk yet, but that may be an avenue to walk down in the future," he said during a year-end interview with the Albertan.
Cooper said it's always best to follow the proper channels when dealing with matters like this, so he sees contacting Health Minister Sarah Hoffman about the controversy as being a strategy of last resort.
"There's always a unique balance when you're an elected official to ensure that the appropriate channels are used to accomplish goals," Cooper said. "Generally speaking, I don't think that people are looking for politicians to meddle in all sorts of different areas.
"I'm not suggesting that that's the case here, but I think that we need to make sure that we're using the appropriate channels to solve challenges that are before us.
"And if the resolution isn't positive for the community, then it may be a situation where the minister could step in or provide additional guidance or whatever, but I think that time will tell on that," he added.
It was suggested that being too "pushy" on the issue with Hoffman might backfire.
"Yeah, for sure," Cooper said. "I often say there are two ways to accomplish things in Edmonton: one with sugar and one with vinegar, and I always like to try sugar first."
"I often say there are two ways to accomplish things in Edmonton: one with sugar and one with vinegar, and I always like to try sugar first."
NATHAN COOPER
MLA
OLDS-DIDSBURY-THREE HILLS
