Fort McMurray Wildfire Support & Updates
May 27, 2016
Please refer back to this page for the latest updates on the Fort McMurray wildfire.
Latest Updates
Friday, May 27, 2016
Message from the President
Dear Member:
There has been little news to report this week. It appears that government's plans to begin return to community after June 1 are likely to come to fruition.
The Wood Buffalo Primary Care Network is working toward plans for physicians to begin returning to practice in the next few weeks but details are not yet available. Alberta Health Services is developing plans for urgent care and reactivation of the hospital.
We have received one query from a physician who wants to return to Fort McMurray but has lost his home. He is looking for accommodations for his family in town and we will likely have more physicians in a similar situation.
I invite our members to let me know how you are doing as you get home and assess how things stand. If you find once you are settled that you can help a colleague who is still without accommodations, please email fortmcmurrayrelief@albertadoctors.org.
All of us continue to offer our support and best wishes as you begin your transition back to Fort McMurray. I will keep updates coming as I have news to share.
Kind regards,
Carl W. Nohr, MDCM, PhD, FRCSC, FACS
President
Previous Updates
Friday, May 20, 2016
Message from the President
Dear Member:
As another week passes, there is a cautious optimism about a June return to community for Fort McMurray residents. That is encouraging -- and still there will be a big transition to be made.
This week we were able to provide accommodation information to more Fort McMurray colleagues looking for a place to stay. We helped others connect to provide locum opportunities or space to practice. Primary Care Networks and physicians in AHS have been stepping up to care for displaced patients.
Always, everyone would like to do even more.
Thank you again to every physician who has come forward to offer help. It has been truly heartwarming to observe.
The latest updates on various topics appear below. We will keep you all informed!
Kind regards,
Carl W. Nohr, MDCM, PhD, FRCSC, FACS
President
Income support
Some physicians are being engaged in early plans for returning to the community to provide medical care to the people of Fort McMurray as they come home. It appears that only basic services will be available initially and some time will be required to get back to pre-fire levels for surgery and other secondary level care.
For physicians whose practices have been halted in this way -- or because of fire damage to their community offices -- income support will be needed. This is true in Fort McMurray and also in smaller communities within the disaster zone.
There is precedent for providing income support under similar circumstances following the Slave Lake fire and the flooding in High River. Discussions are underway with Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services about how we may support physicians who have lost income but still have staff and other overhead costs to cover. We do not know yet what the mechanism will be and we will be having more detailed conversations in the very near future.
Four Fort McMurray physicians have kindly offered to act as representatives in these discussions and have committed to ensuring that all local physicians receive the necessary information. They are:
- Dr. Idowu Akinjise (Chief of Family Medicine)
- Dr. Helen Akosile (physician lead for Wood Buffalo PCN)
- Dr. Sandra Corbett
- Dr. Gene Vitug (Northern Lights Regional Health Centre Co-Facility Medical Director)
We thank them for their invaluable assistance.
Home and auto Insurance update
The following update was provided by the AMA's endorsed home and auto insurance provider, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex on May 17.
TDIMM is not only maintaining their on-site support in the main centers, but is extending the hours of operation to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends at the Northlands, Lac La Biche, and BMO Centers. Representatives are also present at Mount Royal University on weekdays, as this site is closed on weekends. All other evacuation sites have had their Insurance company areas closed because of low traffic.
As of May 16, AMA members have submitted 6 auto claims and 23 residential claims. Proactive calls are being made to all customers with total losses claims.
TDIMM will keep updating the AMA as the number evolves. They would like to remind members that these claims might remain open for a while given Fort McMurray has not been reopened yet and there will be an assessment period before we can even consider rebuilding. The Insurance Bureau of Canada is continuing to work with the Alberta government to develop a cohesive re-entry strategy.
Accommodations
You can request information on available accommodations – or offer some that you may have available – by emailing fortmcmurrayrelief@albertadoctors.org
Clinical support
To offer space for displaced physicians or volunteer to care for Fort McMurray patients, please email:
Roger.Osborne@albertadoctors.org
Andrea.Atkins@albertadoctors.org
Friday, May 13, 2016,
Update from the Provincial Primary Health Care Response Advisory Group
The Provincial Primary Health Care Response Advisory Group has released the following info sheet for evacuees seeking health care and pharmaceutical services.
Message from the President
As indomitable fire crews battle the elements around the province, it appears things may be starting to turn the corner for Fort McMurray.
Like all of you I have been engrossed by the evolving news events and stories from evacuees and first responders over the last week. I’ve been touched by the outpouring of support from across the country and abroad. I’ve marveled at the calm and bravery of the evacuees.
As I noted last week, Albertans are tough. This week I will add that they are also all heart.
We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of AMA members who have offered temporary accommodation in droves. Only a few Fort McMurray physicians have taken advantage so far, but we will keep our offerings active and open for as long as needed. We recognize that needs may change as news emerges about the return-to-community planning that is underway.
AMA staff have launched their own fundraising drive with online collection of funds for the Red Cross and hosting a BBQ in the Edmonton office parking lot on May 12. So far over $3,000 has been collected with more to come.
The latest updates on various topics appear below. We will keep you all informed!
Kind regards,
Carl W. Nohr, MDCM, PhD, FRCSC, FACS
President
Tuesday, May 10, 2016, 1:30 p.m.
Joint statement from the CPSA and AMA
The CPSA and AMA jointly extend our support to those affected by the fire in Fort MacMurray. As relief efforts unfold, we are appreciative of the contributions of all the governments, agencies, businesses and individuals who are providing needed materials, manpower and funds. We extend our personal and professional gratitude to the doctors and other health care professionals of Alberta as they help to provide medical care to those who have been displaced. We are confident that professional medical care and compassion will be available to Albertans wherever they have sought refuge. Our websites will be updated periodically with information for doctors and patients. The need for help will not be over soon. This is a tough situation, but Albertans are tougher.
James Stone, President, CPSA
Carl Nohr, President, AMA
Friday, May 6, 2016, 4 p.m.
Message from the President
Dear Member,
As the situation continues to evolve, I would like to commend the many organizations and individuals who are providing outstanding work in the relief effort. The leadership and staff of Alberta Health Services have been directing efforts to manage hospitalized patients and others needing health care. Primary Care Networks and other clinics are providing access to doctors for displaced patients. Federal and provincial leaders and agencies are reaching out to organize relief efforts. Transport companies, hotels and all manner of businesses are providing support, while individuals are opening their homes and hearts. I saw a bumper sticker once that summarizes the situation:
“Times are tough. Albertans are tougher.”
Specifically to the physicians of Alberta: I very much appreciate all you are doing for our fellow Albertans in this crisis. Using our skills and resources to provide skilled and compassionate care for others is the essence of what we do. Thank you.
Carl W. Nohr, MDCM, PhD, FRCSC, FACS
President
CMA Steps Up
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and its companies, MD Financial Management Inc. (MD) and Joule Inc., today made a donation of $20,000 to support relief efforts in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
The donation will be made through the Canadian Medical Foundation (CMF) to the Canadian Red Cross. It will be matched by the CMF, the province of Alberta and the federal government, and used to support the immediate relief effort.
Want to Donate Yourself?
Visit the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Fires Emergency Appeal:
https://donate.redcross.ca/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1951&ea.campaign.id=50610&gclid=CLTO7u2rxswCFQuPaQod0CIJcg
Clinical Services for Displaced Patients
Primary Care Networks across Alberta are teaming up to provide access to displaced patients for prescriptions and refills as well as short term health care needs. For longer term or more complex needs, over 200 Edmonton PCN physicians are willing to accept new patients. See links to news releases for more information:
The AMA continues to work with Alberta Health Services regarding support for displaced patients that would have been provided in Northern Lights Regional Health Center or for patients who, post-evacuation, have need for secondary or tertiary care services.
Office/Clinical Space
The AMA has had many offers of office/clinical space in which displaced physicians may see patients. These availabilities are being coordinated through the Practice Management Program and the Wood Buffalo PCN. Please email:
Funding Support
Following the flood in High River and the fire in Slave Lake, the AMA was able to work with Alberta Health to arrange funding support for physicians who were unable to practice because of natural disaster events. We would like to thank Alberta Health to responding swiftly to our early requests to consider similar support. Discussions will begin very shortly.
Update on Support for Insurance Claims
The AMA’s endorsed home and auto insurance provider, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex (TDIMM) has updated the information provided to physicians in our first bulletin on May 4.
Members are invited to contact TDIMM for any questions or to make a claim via the dedicated Alberta Medical Association direct line at 1.844.859.6566. TDIMM is offering further measures to support members impacted by the fire:
- Deductibles for residential and auto claims will be waived
- Rental fees will be covered in cases where vehicles had to be left behind
- Mass evacuation coverage for temporary accommodations and meals will be extended through the duration of the evacuation order. (it is good practice to retain receipts in the event they’re required to support your claim)
TDIMM is also providing on-the-ground assistance and advice at Northlands Reception Centre, 7515-118 Avenue N.W., Edmonton and is providing similar support through its Mobile Response Unit at Bold Centre Reception Centre, #100 8702-91 Avenue, Lac La Biche.
Update on Accommodations
Thank you to more than 75 physicians who have already offered temporary accommodations to Fort McMurray physicians and their families! Offers continue to arrive. Evacuated physicians are just identifying their personal needs, but we’ve received our first requests for information about available space and we look forward to assisting more members this way next week.
Are you safe? Can we help?
If you are an evacuee, your colleagues are anxious about you. Please let them know you are safe by posting on the AMA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AlbertaMedicalAssociation or shoot us an email at fortmcmurrayrelief@albertadoctors.org and we’ll post an update for you!
The AMA is standing by to assist in any way we can. fortmcmurrayrelief@albertadoctors.org will be monitored seven days a week so don’t hesitate to reach out if we can help.
May 4, 2016
The thoughts of the Alberta Medical Association are with our friends and colleagues from the Fort McMurray region. Almost 100 physicians call that city home and we hope that they are safe following the massive evacuation. The AMA is working to support physicians and members affected by the Fort McMurray fires:
For the latest news, visit the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo fire updates web page
What you can do to help:
- There is immediate short term need for accommodations for physicians and their families and possibly longer term needs for those who may lose their homes. If you live in Edmonton or north and have accommodations to offer, please email: fortmcmurrayrelief@albertadoctors.org. We will be sharing that information with members who tell us they have such needs.
- If you wish to make a financial contribution to relief and recovery efforts, please donate through the Canadian Red Cross.
Personal or clinical support for physicians:
- We have established some contact with local physician leaders and will be liaising also with Alberta Health Services and the local primary care network to see if we can assist with communications around continuity of clinical services when citizens are able to return.
- We have been contacted by TD Meloche Monnex Insurance (TDIMM), the AMA’s home and automobile insurance endorsed provider, with respect to their outreach to local physicians and were advised that they are proactively contacting policyholders in the impacted areas to ensure their relocation goes smoothly and offering them funding for relocation, housing alternatives, etc. When ready, members may call the dedicated AMA client line 1.844.859.6566 to ask questions or report a claim. TDIMM’s mobile response unit has been deployed to Northlands Reception Centre (7515-118 Avenue N.W., Edmonton, Alberta) to provide support with immediate needs. They have also added capacity to their call centers and client support teams. They promise to keep the AMA informed as we know more about what the community will need.
- The Physician and Family Support Program is standing by to assist members and families in adjusting to these events and the aftermath. Call 1.877.SOS.4MDS (767.4637).
- Members whose medical clinics are insured under the AMA’s Commercial Office Insurance Program through Mardon Group Insurance may call Mardon at 1.866.846.4467 to ask questions or commence a claim.
- We will be talking with Alberta Health about what may be available for financial support for physicians who may lose their practices as a result of the fire.
While the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta may well be in touch in their own right, College staff shared with the AMA the message that doctors affected by these events should not worry about meeting usual CPSA requirements for things like medical records during this period.
Where are you?
In a news release from the provincial government that just came through, all evacuees are being asked to register your locations by contacting the Red Cross at 1.888.350.6070. Officials wish to confirm that everyone got out safely. At the suggestion of your North Zone Medical Staff Association, we have also set up a space on the AMA’s Facebook page where you can post a note about your status.
Thank you for continuing to be a supportive, caring and collegial community, and for your eagerness to help. If you have any further questions or concerns please contact us at: fortmcmurrayrelief@albertadoctors.org or call us toll-free at 1.800.272.9680.
