Unused space could be used as a medical clinic
By Letter to the Editor on November 17, 2021.
Editor:
There has been a veritable exodus of family doctors from Lethbridge in recent weeks. A branch of one of Lethbridge’s oldest and largest clinics has closed.
As a consequence of these events, a very large number of citizens are left with no primary care. By some estimates, between one-fifth and one-quarter of the population is affected.
It makes no sense for people in this situation to flock to the emergency department, there to wait in line for many hours before seeing an exhausted intern or resident on matters which are not truly emergencies.
That a city of this size in an advanced country like Canada in 2021 finds itself in such a predicament represents a profound failure of government.
IÂ have, therefore, some practical suggestions.
The Province must rent a large unused space such as the empty Sears building, and convert it into a multi-station medical office. Temporary internal walls could be erected quickly and cheaply. Next, it needs to recruit doctors from the province, country or internationally and pay them on a short-term basis about $2000 per day.
As well, these recruits should be paid relocation expenses.
The provincial government would need to lean on the Alberta College of Physicians to ensure that licensing procedures could be sped up. Co-operation from the immigration authorities would also need to be brought on board. Housing and other accommodation costs should also be paid for.
As well as seeking doctors, nurse practitioners should be recruited on similar terms.Â
With effort and a concentrated aim, a clinic with around 20 physicians and nurse practitioners could be up and running in a matter of weeks. Should this be so, then a breathing space would be created during which a determined effort could be made to find more permanent solutions. Indeed, many of the temporary recruits might well be tempted to establish permanent practices here.
There are several more details to sort out in a plan of this kind, but they are merely details.
As well, a concerted effort should be made to persuade recently retired family doctors to re-enter practice for a few months.
Medical and surgical specialists could also ease the problem by accepting self-referred patients while the crisis lasts.
Lastly, I would be happy to offer my thoughts and services to aid with this project.
David Amies
Lethbridge
-1
Please define veritable exodus. Was it to retirement? Was it to a different location within the province? How many moved due to Lethbridge becoming an undesirable location to practice? How many have moved to other provinces or out of the country? How may have decided to exercise their freedom of movement and moved? This has been a country wide problem for the last 20 years at least. What makes this “exodus” at this time. Surely you must have an answer.
this is a start to remedying a dire situation.