The Town of Fort Macleod is looking for a prescription to solve the town’s doctor shortage.
“There’s definitely a critical need to be addressed, and I imagine we’re not the only community,” chief administrative officer Anthony Burdett said.
Two notices from Alberta Health Services regarding temporary emergency department closures at Fort Macleod Health Centre were included in council’s Sept. 25 consent agenda.
Coun. Christina Fox asked the notices be brought to the regular council agenda for discussion.
Fox asked Burdett for an update on physicians in Fort Macleod.
“I wish I had an abundance of good news when it comes to doctors in our community,” Burdett told council.
Burdett reminded council that it was advised last year that five new doctors were to locate in Fort Macleod.
“That is probably not the case at this point,” Burdett said.
Burdett told council it has been difficult to get information on physician recruitment from Alberta Health Services.
The Town of Fort Macleod contacted Alberta Health Services last month to find out when new doctors could be expected in Fort Macleod.
Burdett said the town’s contacts with AHS could not provide an answer.
“We’re kind of left in the lurch,” Burdett said. “We’re hoping some of that information can get to us soon.”
The five physicians who were expected would bring Fort Macleod to its bare minimum, Burdett said.
One of those doctors did come to town, and one other went to Pincher Creek instead.
Coun. Jim Monteith said the MD of Willow Creek at one time was interested to partner with the town on doctor recruitment.
“Should we be re-looking at that?” Monteith asked.
Burdett agreed that might be worthwhile.
I think any potential solution would be worth looking into,” Burdett said.
Coun. Mackenzie Hengerer said doctors who immigrate to Canada face a daunting process to be allowed to practice in Alberta.
“I’m just wondering if there’s ways that we can advocate for immigration,” Hengerer said. “Obviously you want to have a person who is well-versed in their field but the process for Alberta is so difficult.”
Hengerer told council a family member had been rejected by Alberta, but was immediately welcomed by Nova Scotia and is practising in a town with a population of about 4,000.
“Maybe that’s an area where we can advocate with our local government,” Hengerer said.
Monteith wondered why Alberta, which is in “desperate” need for doctors, would make the process so difficult for immigrants.
Burdett said a stumbling block for Fort Macleod is that it has too few doctors to work with newly-accredited immigrant doctors, which is an AHS requirement.
Council directed administration to contact the Rural Physician Action Plan regarding Fort Macleod’s doctor shortage.
