'Our patience has come to an end': Alberta doctors call for new pay model. acute care plan
CTV
The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) is urging the provincial government to implement a new compensation model for doctors and adopt a plan to stabilize acute care.
The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) is urging the provincial government to implement a new compensation model for doctors and adopt a plan to stabilize acute care.
The AMA represents around 11,000 physicians from multiple specialities across the province.
Shelly Duggan, the AMA's new president, says indecision and inaction from the government on the funding model and proposed plan are causing patient care to suffer.
"We are deeply, sincerely afraid that the health-care system in Alberta is ready to collapse past the point of repair anytime soon," she said. "Our patience has come to an end."
Paul Parks, the AMA's former president, says Premier Danielle Smith promised the Physician Comprehensive Care Model would be implemented by September, but things have stalled with the Treasury Board, leaving the acute care system "swaying on its feet."
"This would be comparable to the situation where Jasper is on fire, but over the length of a year's time, the government simply continues to say, quote, ‘We are committed to putting the fire out, we just can't tell Jasper (residents) when it would be,'" he said.
"They are not putting their money where their mouth is, and not putting their action where their words are."
