Doctors say now is not the time for health-care changes

“We know the numbers are going to get bad and we know that system is going to get severely taxed,” said Parks. “So, we need 100 percent of our attention focused on preparing for this pandemic.”

Last month, the Kenney government announced they were ending its agreement with Alberta doctors and would be implementing a number of changes including to complex modifiers, a new framework for cost overruns, and limiting the amount of future training.

The provincial government has since announced they were reversing course on the complex modifier fee model.

As for the April 1 date where the changes are set to take place, Parks said it should be a date that can be postponed.

“Anything around the budget with the changes in oil and with the pandemic, everything is different and changed,” said Parks. “I’m not saying we don’t have to be responsible, I’m not saying we don’t have to work together to figure out these things down the road. But, April 1 is just an arbitrary, meaningless date right in the face of while we’re getting ready for things to get worse.”

The letter – also sent to Opposition Health Critic David Shepherd, Dr. Christine Molnar, president of the Alberta Medical Association and federal health Minister Patty Hajdu – can be read in full below.

Dear Minister of Health, Premier and leaders of the Government of Alberta,

We are the front-line doctors serving patients across the province of Alberta in this unprecedented time. The proposed changes that will be initiated April 1, 2020 are detrimental to our patients and the healthcare system. Now is not the time to restructure the system that we understand and intrinsically know how to operate. COVID-19 is spreading like a wildfire in this province. We are a strong and trusted team who require necessary resources to help us put out this fire.

We oppose this Government’s implementation of harmful actions targeted towards our public healthcare system. These actions will destabilize an already stressed healthcare system during this uncertain time. We are essential responders that cannot be replaced; our crisis training will serve Albertans during this pandemic. Doctors cannot afford any distractions during this time where we are counted on to perform to the best of our capabilities.

Now is not the time for Albertans.

Albertans are overwhelmed by the physical, emotional and financial issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. All Albertans are dealing with profound changes that are beyond their control. An abrupt pause to the proposed healthcare changes must occur immediately to avoid burdening and negatively impacting our Albertan patients in crisis.

Now is not the time for restructuring our Healthcare System.

In these uncertain times, there is an ever-growing demand put on Provincial leaders. Both government and medical professionals provide essential services and our citizens look to us for stability in a world of ambiguity. As such, now is not the time to implement changes that will negatively impact the province’s ability to deliver accessible care under our already existing and exceptional healthcare system.

Now is not the time to under-resource physicians.

These are unprecedented times that require extraordinary support and flexibility for clinical care. Physicians and medical support staff are performing beyond their means and are doing so with fewer resources. More than 400 community clinics across this province are either closing or laying off staff. This will overburden and overwhelm community and inpatient physicians to provide services that put patients first. Virtual options for providing care must be made more readily available and require compensation equivalent to an in-office visit, thereby allowing for crucial time needed to reassure and address our patients’ mounting critical needs. We must have the necessary resources for these clinics caring for Albertans.

Once the essential health issues of Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic are addressed, we are committed to ensuring the stability and financial feasibility of our healthcare system today and in the future. Until then, our immediate need from the Government for stability, support, and resources is vital if we are to put out these wildfires for Albertans.

Your immediate response is critical during this exceptional, historic and life-altering period.

According to Parks, there hasn’t been a response from the province yet but is hoping they review their concerns before April 1.

“I hope that they will respond quickly, I mean April 1 is coming quickly,” said Parks. “The message in there is clear, now is not the time. Nothing would destabilize our health care system more than a global pandemic, nothing. Don’t do anything, work with us, let us get through this.”

by Chris Brown & Scott Roblin

Doctors say now is not the time for health-care changes

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