Dear Members,
The Representative Forum gathers this Friday and Saturday, September 20 and 21 in Calgary. We always count on the RF for its wise guidance to the Board of Directors in terms of future direction and our plans and strategies. This meeting promises to be one of the most important we have seen in some time.
The most critical element of this meeting will be the latest developments with government with respect to both the Physician Comprehensive Care Model and our Acute Care Stabilization Proposal (member login required to view these pages). A tremendous amount of work has been done to provide the government with immediate solutions to address the growing, concurrent crises we are facing in health care, but will the government act? They say they have heard our SOS calls, and in some cases they’ve thrown a desperately needed life preserver, but are the rescue solutions coming?
We do not feel that we can ask members for their patience any longer. Family and rural generalist physicians are losing hope that the PCCM can come in time to help. Acute care is teetering on the edge of disaster. Our advocacy has been unceasing, but a higher level may be required still. We know that if the government refuses to take action, the system will only continue to degrade, and we are preparing to track the impacts if things worsen.
The RF will learn where we stand, what’s at stake, and discuss options we will lay out for them. Their guidance will be acted upon, swiftly and unwaveringly.
We will report back.
Regards,
Paul Parks
President, Alberta Medical Association
Our provincial government is in terrible need of a wake up call. Praying for a miracle!
Thank you for your hard work. I hope the decision will be shared with the public too.