Dear Editor,
It is our goal to ensure that all residents have access to the healthcare services they require in an appropriate and sustainable manner.
We understand the frustration and disappointment some patients experience in finding a family physician in their home communities.
And while there has been steady growth in the number of physicians practicing in Alberta, we recognize that gaining access to a physician continues to be a challenge in many rural and remote areas.
Three physicians left the community in summer 2019 and an additional two physicians will be leaving Barrhead at the end of the calendar year.
We want to assure you that we are doing all we can to ensure patients receive the care they need, when they need it. We would like to thank all patients for their support and understanding during this time as we work diligently to recruit five new family physicians, including those with anesthesia and obstetrics specialties.
AHS has a dedicated recruitment team that pursues both Canadian and internationally-trained physicians. We have three physician resource planners dedicated to physician recruitment for AHS North Zone.
In 2018-2019, we recruited 36 new physicians across AHS North Zone, which includes 32 Family Medicine and four specialists.
Training, attracting and retaining the right number and mix of physicians in Barrhead is important, ongoing work for us. However, we are just one of many partners in physician recruitment.
We work with partners, which includes, individual communities, local physician recruitment groups, practicing physicians, the Rural Health Professions Action Plan, Primary Care Networks and local Health Advisory Councils such as the Tamarack Health Advisory Council.
It is also important to note that physicians are independent practitioners, who determine the practice models within their clinics. When physicians operate within AHS facilities, we work collaboratively with them to determine appropriate service delivery.
To find a family doctor, we recommend using the online tools provided by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta or the Primary Care Networks. Individuals can also call HealthLink at 811, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to speak with one of our registered nurses about finding a family doctor.
Amy Crofts
Senior Communications Advisor
Alberta Health Services,
North Zone
