Mass cancellations of orthopedic surgeries likely within weeks over compensation dispute, doctors say

Edmonton orthopedic surgeons are warning of widespread surgery cancellations in coming weeks due to a funding dispute over how Alberta compensates another group of hospital doctors. 

Patient care disruptions are likely when stipend contracts for surgical hospitalists expire as of April 1, according to both the surgeons and provincial health officials. Surgical hospitalists manage pre-and post-operative care, allowing surgeons to remain in the operating room.

In a statement, officials from Acute Care Alberta say they are closely monitoring staffing levels to ensure surgical access is maintained after the stipend contracts come to an end.

“While we acknowledge there may be a need to reschedule some orthopedic surgeries in Edmonton due to potential changes to perioperative support, [Alberta Health Services (AHS)] and Covenant Health are actively working to enhance alternative support for perioperative care,” the agency said Monday in a statement to CBC News.

"Operating rooms will not sit empty; they will be used for other surgeries. If we receive formal cancellation notices from surgeons, we will support patients with rescheduling and arrangements for alternate care will be provided."

The impending risk of surgical cancellations are outlined in a letter from Dr. Angela Scharfenberger, divisional director of orthopedic surgery at the University of Alberta Hospital and interim lead of orthopedic surgery in the Edmonton region. 

An email sent by Scharfenberger to members of the orthopedic service was accompanied by a background paper and briefing note, dated March 13. The email stated those documents had been sent to Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange and Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones.

Scharfenberger has not responded to interview requests. Her correspondence was obtained Tuesday by CBC News and verified by four medical professionals in Edmonton who said they received it.

In the documents, Scharfenberger says the likely loss of surgical hospitalists would have “immediate and profound impacts.” These could include  the closure of orthopedic inpatient services at multiple Edmonton hospitals, significant delays in trauma surgery, the cancellation of elective inpatient procedures, including joint replacement, and increased pressure on emergency departments and internal medicine services.

According to the documents, the impact would be most acute for inpatient orthopedic surgeries — that is, procedures for bone and joint repair that require extended hospital stays for recovery and rehabilitation.

“Following April 1, 2026, it is expected that inpatient orthopedic surgery across all sites in Edmonton would be cancelled due to the lack of safe medical co‐management and adequate acute care coverage,” Scharfenberger writes.  

When asked about the correspondence at the legislature Tuesday, Jones said the province has not received any formal notification from physicians that they plan to withdraw or change their provision of services following the contract change.

“No formal notification has been provided, but of course we're planning in case there is some service withdrawal,” Jones said from the legislature on Monday.

“I hope that we get through what this is, which is a compensation dispute, and ultimately, that we put patients first on April 1.”