March 3, 2020
To our valued patients and their families,
As your family doctors, we treasure the relationship that we have built with our patients over the years, but in light of Health Minister Shandro’s unprecedented cuts to family medicine, we are being forced to make some tough choices in order to keep serving you.
Due to Minister Shandro’s proposed cuts, as of April 1, we will have to change how we deliver our medical services to you. These changes will likely include:
- routine visits will be booked for 10 minutes, therefore we may need additional appointment to address all of your concerns
- prescription refills will not be issued via phone or fax
- appointments will be needed in order to review results
- seniors will now be charged for driver’s medicals as this is no longer covered
- enforcing charges for uninsured services such as sick notes, forms, letters for insurance, etc.
The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) and the medical profession understand the hard economic realities in Alberta, and we have worked hard to provide solutions that do not compromise medical care. At the time that these cuts were announced, the AMA had found solutions to cover 75% of the savings the government required, and had another proposal on the way. In addition, the AMA proposed to go to arbitration to find a solution that was acceptable to both sides.
Despite this, the government is moving forward with their proposed cuts, without consultation or negotiation with the medical profession. These cuts focus on family medicine, rural medicine and the ability to spend more time with patients.
We ask for your support in calling on your elected officials to return to the negotiating table with the AMA. Let them know that their attack on family doctors and the medical home is not acceptable.
Please feel free to contact your MLA, Miranda Rosin: Phone: +1 403 609 4509 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
and our Health Minister, Tyler Shandro: Phone: +1 780 427 3665 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sincerely,
Your Bow Valley Family Physicians