The Alberta Medical Association has urged the provincial government to implement a set of safeguards as it formulates regulations to permit doctors to work in both public and private healthcare systems. Legislation enabling the establishment of a “dual practice” system was passed recently, with the government now in the process of developing regulations to enable this model. Dr. Brian Wirzba, president of the Alberta Medical Association, emphasized the critical need for careful planning to avoid potential pitfalls and ensure the protection of the public healthcare system.
Healthcare advocacy groups nationwide had raised concerns earlier this year that the Alberta government’s initiative might breach the Canada Health Act, prompting calls for federal intervention. However, the province has refuted these claims. Dr. Wirzba highlighted the importance of implementing safeguards based on the AMA’s recommendations to uphold patient safety, maintain access to care, and safeguard the integrity of the public health system.
The Alberta Medical Association’s proposed safeguards include establishing robust oversight through a single provincial statutory body with authority over both public and private healthcare practices. Additionally, the AMA advocates for the creation of a non-partisan auditing entity to monitor compliance and identify potential risks. To prevent staff shortages in the public system, the association also calls for protections to ensure that the private sector does not drain essential personnel from public healthcare facilities.
Dr. Wirzba emphasized the need for clear regulations to prevent healthcare professionals from being lured away by potentially more attractive working conditions in the private sector. He expressed concerns about the impact on patient care, especially considering the existing challenges of long surgery wait times and shortages of healthcare workers in public hospitals.
The Alberta government has indicated its intention to exclude family doctors from the dual practice model initially and to continue funding emergency care services publicly. Furthermore, the government has promised to implement safeguards such as potentially limiting the number of procedures doctors can perform privately or restricting private surgeries to specific times. The Alberta Medical Association has shared its recommendations with key government officials and emphasized the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives in the decision-making process based on feedback from its member survey conducted in November.
