Election over; no time to waste

May 30, 2023

Dr. Fredrykka Rinaldi, AMA President

Dear Members,

The United Conservative Party has won the provincial election and will form the government until 2027.

I have written today to Premier Smith to congratulate her on the outcome of the vote. I have also advised that we will be ready to meet with her health minister as soon as they are appointed, to discuss urgent issues affecting the sustainability of physician practices. We have been calling for immediate action but received no answer before the election period.

We will move as quickly as possible to engage with government on these matters and to advance implementation of our agreement. The viability of our practices and the care we provide to patients are at stake. The Board of Directors meets this week to finalize plans and establish the direction of the AMA business plan for 2023-24. I will keep you informed.

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.'"

4 comments

Commenting on this page is closed.

  • #1

    Debbie Halwas

    Member of the public

    3:25 PM on May 30, 2023

    I have seen the effect of the lack of family physicians from both sides as a patient whose physician basically abandoned her patients by closing her practice after being away for 7 months, so now I am left with no family Dr since Dec of 2022 and no prospects of getting one anytime soon. I am left with being seen at clinics accepting walkin patients for my prescription refills.

    I have also seen it from the clinic side as I work part time at a clinic who has had two family physicians leave and we have been advertising for replacements (fulltime, parttime or even locum) since Feb 2023 with no response. We may be forced to close if we can not get even one replacement. This is a very sad situation that the province is in without any resolution insight. If anyone has any suggestions about how we can find physicians who want to work please feel free to email me as we are at our wits end

  • #2

    David Smyth

    Physician

    10:22 PM on May 31, 2023

    I find it very telling that Blended Capitation is advertised as a way to better pay Physicians, yet I can’t find a source that will detail the actual dollar amounts. It is often stated as”It depends on the deal negotiated”
    Doesn’t sound very attractive to me.

  • #3

    Dr G Haines

    Physician

    7:48 AM on June 01, 2023

    Never mind congratulations, remind the premier that physicians respect the dignity of all humans including LGBTQ population in Alberta, and we are concerned about ant MLA that does not. Noted by comments of newly elected MLA in central Alberta and comparison alleged comments comparing LGBTQ children to feces! This is not even close to acceptable if true. Please come out to a statement to this subject; what is the AMA all about anyway to overlook such basic human dignity stuff! Thank you. Dr G Haines MD CCFP

  • #4

    Paul Marner

    Physician

    5:40 AM on June 14, 2023

    Thank you for the update.

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