Federal, provincial, and territorial health ministers have gathered in Calgary for a two-day conference to discuss interprovincial credential recognition, funding agreements, mental health, addiction issues, and vaccination programs. The aim is to strengthen collaboration between the federal government, provinces, and territories to safeguard Canada’s healthcare system.
Alberta’s Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, Adriana LaGrange, will co-chair the meetings with Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel. LaGrange seeks federal commitments to existing health funding programs and strategies to address healthcare worker shortages. Additionally, she is advocating for fair funding for Alberta’s provincial pharmacare program without joining the national initiative.
While three provinces and one territory have joined the national pharmacare program, LaGrange believes Alberta’s current coverage plans are adequate and prefers that federal funding enhances the provincial program. The ministers will also engage with national doctors and nurses organizations to explore ways to support and retain healthcare workers.
Linda Silas, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, urges the ministers to address workplace abuse faced by nurses. She emphasizes the importance of changing the healthcare culture to ensure that perpetrators of violence against healthcare workers face consequences, similar to assaulting a police officer.
The Canadian Medical Association reports that doctors also face mistreatment from patients or their families. Survey data from over 3,300 physicians reveal that 74% experienced bullying, harassment, or discrimination at work. While this is a slight decrease from the previous year, more efforts are needed to create a supportive environment for healthcare providers.
Despite some improvements, about 46% of doctors still report high levels of burnout due to the strain on the healthcare system. Dr. Margot Burnell, President of the Canadian Medical Association, emphasizes the need for ongoing support for healthcare providers to ensure they can deliver quality care to patients.
