The crisis is not over

March 3, 2023

Dr. Fredrykka Rinaldi, AMA PresidentDear Members,

Members have commented about a recent media event with the Premier, Minister of Health and Alberta Health Services Official Administrator. At this public relations event the OA outlined progress on his mandated tasks relating to reduced surgical wait times, emergency room wait times and emergency medical services response times.

Congratulations to AHS. They have made improvements. It’s also important to note that the crisis is far from over.

Members are seeing unchanged pressures in the ER and ER closures continue at various rural sites. In my own practice, I have noticed no change in the lengthy wait to see a specialist and many Albertans are still unable to find a family physician. The backlog for many laboratory medicine investigations is also adding to wait times.

Change at AHS comes with cost. Alberta Health holds the purse strings. Follow the money/budget as we look forward to further improvements.

You are always welcome to share your thoughts with me. You can email me via president@albertadoctors.org. You can also comment on this letter on the AMA website.

Regards,

fred Rinaldi, MD, CCFP, FCFP, LLB, MBA, MPA(HSA), BCom
President, Alberta Medical Association

"Fate whispers to the warrior, 'You can not withstand the storm.' The warrior whispers back, 'I am the storm.'"

2 comments

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  • #1

    Alan Chu

    Physician

    3:31 PM on March 03, 2023

    As has been the case for the past several years now, physicians remain strongly supportive of a politically active AMA — please ensure that the AMA speaks out and that these messages do not simply remain within the membership. We are sick of being afraid of upsetting the government with our advocacy!

  • #2

    Barb Downes, Ph.D.

    Member of the public

    7:28 PM on March 03, 2023

    I am tired of our provincial politicians lying to me about health care (and most other things). Here's a suggestion. No more live pressers. All topics must be presented in point form to a panel of experts (real experts, not like the educational curriculum developers) who will fact check the items before they are aired. If the experts disagree, both sides will be presented. Also, raw data is meaningless. Data must be presented within an analytical context so spouting of money amounts is useless. Tell me at least basically if it's a percentage increase or decrease. I would also like to see doctors answer media questions instead of the politicians who just regurgitate bafflegab. Your letter above is informative and well written. It should have been presented as part of the presser to counteract some of the misinformation.

Alberta Medical Association Mission: Advocate for and support Alberta physicians. Strengthen their leadership in the provision of sustainable quality care.