EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – Doctors from across the province are warning the government that introducing a new funding formula during the COVID-19 pandemic is lethal to the very supports working to protect everyone.
In Alberta, hundreds of clinics are reportedly closing or having to significantly reduce staff in the wake of the pandemic.
Now, a group of about 850 doctors has sent a letter to the Premier and the Health Minister, warning this is not the time to be making changes to the health care system.
The letter states the proposed changes will be detrimental to patients and the healthcare system.
Dr. John Julyan-Gudgeon is a family physician in Red Deer and says the actions will destabilize an already stressed healthcare system during this uncertain time.
“We have, at this moment, 400 different clinics that have either had to dramatically downsize their operations, downsize their personnel or outright close. These are just the clinics we’ve been able to reach out in our small group, find details of and validate and verify that these clinics are indeed closing. This is going to be a small portion of what is happening out there.”
The letter says doctors are committed to making changes after Covid-19 passes, but Julyan-Gudgeon says they are committed right now to helping patients but need the province’s and everyone’s help to get through this.
“Doctors cannot afford any distractions during this time where we are counted on to perform to the best of our capabilities,” the letter reads.
Physicians with the Alberta Medical Association and the province have been at odds since the UCP government terminated their contract in February. In favour of a new compensation model.
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Julyan-Gudgeon says the middle of a pandemic is not the time for politics and is urging the government to keep the current system in place for the time being.
