Family Health Teams: A Plan for Modernizing Primary Care

This all sounds great, but how are you going to accomplish this, if there isn't enough doctors and nurses and other health care providers. Will they be plucked out of thin air. Stats show that most new doctors have aspirations to specialize, leaving fewer GP's. It's easy to say you're going to do all of this, talk is cheap. Tell us how it will be done, what is the plan!

Why wasn’t this done when in power instead of helping the unions I do agree with the idea but do it I was a NDP supporter you need to win my vote back by actually doing something with healthcare

I think the Family Health Clinic makes sense. But I'm concerned about having people to fill these clinics. Offer "signing" bonus for Canadian doctors working outside of Canada to return home. And don't forget doctors/nurses who didn't leave. I also think we need to look at taking a Canada wide approach versus the silo approach i.e. each province/territory acts too independently. Also look at ways to reduce the number of sick people- education, further promotion of "heathy" lifestyles, tax on products with excessive sugar, salt, trans fats etc. "Sin" taxes are not new - alcohol, tobacco for example. I think New York city a number of years ago looked into a tax on a certain size of soft drinks. Of course such "sin" taxes imposed by the NDP will be labelled as anti-business by the UCP. We need to look at bold changes - and yes making "unacceptable" changes such as a private component to health care, more spots in med schools, quicker integration of foreign medical folks into our system, easier movement of health care professionals between provinces/territories & a PST dedicated 100% to health care - I know seems like a non-starter and how not to get elected/reelected. I think I am just scratching the service. But money alone is not the answer. We have other critical needs for our taxes - education (our way to create a real "Alberta Advantage") climate change, military obligations (federal dollars of course). The reality of my suggestions and I'm sure other better ones, is it will take decades to clear up the growing health issues from under service of people (no family doctor) and unhealthy lifestyles. Gord James [email protected]

It’s a great plan! My family and I are fortunate that we belong to the Crowfoot Family Medical Practice in Calgary. Literally a one stop shop for all services…what your proposing really works!

Like many other commenters, I’m struck by the similarities between this plan and the current Primary Care Networks. What is the overwhelming difference between this Teams approach and the current PCN model? I also share concerns regarding continuity of care. Whilst I access to Primary Care must be improved to ease access block throughout the entire system, is reinventing the entire Primary Care wheel necessary when the current wheel only needs a repair. (Unless the NDP is sitting on data to say the wheel is broken?) How will the NDP create Electronic Medical Record access to all of these teams that works with privacy legislation, protects the health data of Albertans and allows health professionals/ allied health professionals ease of function. What is the NDP plan for relationship building with doctors? What is the NDP going to do to build enough trust to attract the doctors, nurses, diagnostic techs, respiratory techs, etc we need to Alberta? They’re sick of this place.

To whom can one submit more detailed commentary and do you have the resources/time to read that if I make the effort in time to write it? I don't find these little online boxes useful for detailed and lengthy feedback. Thank you.

As a nurse with chronic illnesses, I love this idea! Probably the best idea for public health care since Tommy Douglas introduced it. Please keep me informed; I’m only able to attend virtual meetings due to my immune disorder.

I spent 30 years in management. The first step is a situation appraisal and a well defined problem statement. Second step is root cause analysis. Third step is decision analysis. Fourth step is risk assessment. In all likelihood most of the necessary infrastructure exists and the problem is poor leadership and lack of accountability. I have worked with consultants who can flush that out in a few weeks, fixing it requires real consequences for the good and poor performing management. Here is an example shared by a new graduate nurse. Day 1 she got to tour with a senior management member. She had to sign a NDA to do this. The manager had her all day. The nurse said that the entire day included the manager making 1 decision, the colour of a new pamphlet. Impressive hey! Your report contains glossy pictures, allegations and blame, a proposed solution, & a wild ass guess at costs. Neither professional nor impressive. Those who live by emotion will probably like it. If you want help I am willing to teach.

As a soon to be Nurse Practitioner, all I want is to be able to work in primary care and serve my rural community. I’m looking forward to working with a government that understands the role of NPs and wants to work with NPs to ensure every Albertan has access to quality primary care.

I am an elderly citizen who needs a doctor who does not post signs allowing only one is sure per visit. Many of our issues are related,and only one does not give a comprehensive picture. It is very expensive to get to labs or across the city to see a specialist when you must travel by taxi. .

I am wishing for many changes in our health care and interested in seeing your proposal

As a 65 year old woman who is for the fourth time looking for a good family doctor who can address autoimmune and other health issues, I would support anything that ensures my whole body is being cared for. My present practitioner (MD) - a relatively new grad - is so frustrated with how she’s been treated by bureaucracies such as WCB, Alberta Health - that she’s giving up her practice. What’s even more telling is that NO ONE WILL pick her practice up! Not a new grad - NO ONE! I’m left without a doctor and finding one who will be able to manage my medical issues as competently as my soon departing GP is going to be just short of impossible! I will die if I have no one to follow and treat my most recent health condition. The UCP has destroyed the healthcare system and alienated medical professions so much there just simply isn’t a pool of people to meet the needs of Albertans. If we don’t get rid of the UCP soon Albertans will suffer and struggle to contribute to society as their health decreases as a result of the negative impact UCP has had on healthcare!

It seems to me the current Primary Care Networks cover most of your new model. We are still lacking in Family Physicians. How will the new or revised model recruit physicians any differently with results? I have been living in my community for over 60 years I am now without a family physician. My priority is continuity of care and access to a Doctor. Allied health professionals are already available.

Alberta govt heavily paying to the doctors but the rest nurses and pharmacist and paramedic staff also belong to this society they are also helping patients but no one taking care on these professions, Some doctors are very good honest there work and approach but majority of them doing unrealistic billings and just black mailing this govt because of lack of professionalism, Senior patients and eligible they are not getting covered by there medicines or treatment they are paying 20% and for rest other things for those who supposed to be free but they are paying, on other side only one group is misusing portion of budget or money

Nothing gets done by committee except endless discussion. This is a step backward.

Thanks for sharing the information on your Family Health Team plans. I believe you are on the right track, and you have my full support to pursue and fund this model. So many Albertans have no primary care access, which is tragic and short sighted. Let's hope and plan that your government will be elected in May!

The proposal sounds reasonable. Can you point to locations where this actually works on a large scale? How does the AMA view this proposal since it would mean physicians giving up a significant degree of control over the delivery of health care? I'm too used to the "old" ways of absorbing information to read this on an electronic device. It would be good if we could access a "text only" version so we wouldn't have to waste a lot of ink on printing the pictures.

The proposal sounds reasonable. Can you point to locations where this actually works on a large scale? How does the AMA view this proposal since it would mean physicians giving up a significant degree of control over the delivery of health care? I'm too used to the "old" ways of absorbing information to read this on an electronic device. It would be good if we could access a "text only" version so we wouldn't have to waste a lot of ink on printing the pictures.

Sounds like a plan. Something similar was tried in Saskatchewan when the NDP ruled. One concern is possible lack of consistency. Former doctor had succession of doctors from other countries who went on to other practices so one never knew who you were going to see. This meant explaining things repeatedly and sometimes getting different approaches to on going concerns. Anything is better than privatization or the current lack of doctors. Hope we win the provincial election!

What is the difference between your proposed Family Health Teams and the Primary Health Networks that we see in Calgary? Are the Family Health Teams meant to service rural areas and smaller towns? Thank you.

Hello and I thank you for asking for comments!!! As a mother I can tell you about our experiences with Health care and you would be amazed. Let's just say I am glad to have some input here. I find that from experience any illnesses for some strange reason manifest on a Friday night. Yep. As a result I believe there should be accessible walk-in clinics on weekends for starters. Also for repeat prescriptions there ought to be an easier process to access those prescriptions and longer terms on renewals although I am no doctor but in cases where the medical staff deem this is possible. I also like the idea of telephone appointments. That would free up doctor time and patient times. More involvement of nurse practitioners would be stellar. Perhaps an easier way for them to prescribe certain things too. Emergency wait times are atrocious. I am not kidding. I had my father when he was alive at emergency and we waited so long he purposely fell out of his wheelchair to get medical attention. All they did was prop him back up in his chair and we waited until the next morning for him to be seen by the doctor. While this was some time ago when we was alive it was appalling, upsetting and obscene. This is a man who served this country all his life as a public servant and that was how he was treated. Unfortunately emergency departments are anything but and they have become clinics. Yep with long wait times. The word "emergency" should connotate that patients are seen within an hour or two after entry depending upon the emergency some immediately. I've seen emerge in another territory in Canada where there was only one doctor on at a time and if he was called away to deliver a baby the patients are emerge were hooped until he came back. That's outrageous. There is no privacy for the patients with "curtains" at emerge either. That's awful. Not to mention it is less sanitary when people are worried about covid being spread. The worst I saw was I was sitting at emerge in Lethbridge waiting a few hours to be seen and this poor man had pulled up to emerge in a pickup truck and died at the entranceway. The security staff had to run outside in the freezing cold with a wheelchair to put him into the chair and wheel him into emergency. He was dead when he arrived at the entrance to emerge. One of the saddest things that I have every witnessed. We were sitting in a lineup of chairs at emerge in Lethbridge crammed in like sardine chairs in the midst of covid. It really gave me the sense that our government cares nothing about the people it serves or who elected them or not. I felt sorry for the staff who were trying their very best under the most difficult circumstances where resources were strained. As a member of the public who votes I will be looking for a caring government who makes health care a serious priority and fixes the inequities in the system. I believe our provincial governments are grossly underfunded by the federal government for health care and senior at home care. I believe the way of the future is having seniors stay in their homes as long as possible with supports from health care, physio or whatever they need to stay in their homes. Senior homes are appalling. I went through that with my dad in Alberta for two years. Disgusting treatement of seniors. No one should have to live like that. I am available at any time to discuss any of my comments. I would be more than pleased to share what needs to be done for health care improvements. I would love to see the NDP focus on solutions for any criticisms of present existing governments and this team-based focus is great. Lobbying for more federal funding is a must. Thank you again and I applaud Rachel Notley for continuing to fight for Canadians. Rachel is a true Canadian. Thank you Rachel!!! Best wishes, Nancy Gardiner

My only concern with this model is continuity of care. I'd rather consistently see one doctor, because a second doc acting off the notes of the first is starting at a disadvantage. As a person with a long-term health issue, I don't want to have to re-explain my status to a new doc/nurse every visit, and hope they're on board with my established treatment plan. Medical opinions can vary and I don't want to be responsible for defending my treatment to a new family doc every follow-up. I want to form a long term two-way trusting and respectful relationship with ONE family doctor who knows me well.

Doctors and any other medical staff that Canada keeps saying that we need so desperately and that they are here as taxi drivers etc. test them papers can be bought anywhere! Also were is the commitment from foreign medical staff? Has anyone monitored what happens once Canada approves their licenses do they stay or chase the wealth. What if Canada were to arrange contacts with people wanting the medical education but do not have the money. Pay for them and invest in them, if it takes 7 yrs to graduate then they have to remain and practice in Canada for 7 yrs in return.

I understand such an approach because as an educator I have worked on multidisciplinary teams to support children/families. However, I think my need for a new family dr after the incredible one I have had for 39 yrs retired/went on medical leave, cannot be addressed anytime in the near future by the planning/setting up of these teams. The number of teams required for the number of people living in AB might not be met in time to accommodate my needs. While good in theory, the practical side of implementing such an approach in the existing AB Healthcare system with our population is I think unrealistic. And as far as planning this for the future be sure that it is something tax paying Albertans actually want otherwise will change with the government wasting millions/billions, I do not know where the doctors required will be found. I am 67 yrs old and would like a true family dr who actually knows me as a person and understands/treats my needs.

As a 59 yr old RN…I like this idea very much!!

When my wife and I lived in Okotoks we attended a clinic at Foothills Family Practice - where there was a group of fine lady Doctors each and every one of which could be available at some point in time. My wife - since passed - preferred one of the Doctors over all others - myself I was never that "fussy." I arrived in Canada back in early 1978 in Vancouver BC and worked here in Alberta - relocating here later in 1978 (I had family in Vancouver). Shortly after arriving I met the lady who would soon be my wife and the mother of two lovely twin daughters. We have been very lucky - both my wife and I have always had access to a Family Doctor or to a Family Doctoral Practice - and we have moved around a bit, Calgary, Airdrie, Leslieville, Okotoks and Red Deer. Yes there have been times when getting taken care of by my Family Doctor was not possible in any timely manner - and then it was using various of the many Medical Clinics that may have been available or accessible - or the Emergency services at some preferred Hospital. (That has happened a few times unfortunately - but on the whole I have been one of the lucky ones even as I have had quite the colourful and diverse medical journey.) The setting up of Family Doctor Facilities with Multiple Doctors sharing the facilities, the equipment - and even the patients - is a good one as is the concept of having a more diverse and tiered medical staffing responsibility chart. (Not all matters actually need a full "Doctor" much of the time!) However we do have a problem - and it is one that must be addressed and it regards Professional Bodies in general as well as Professional Medical Bodies in particular. We must have some form of fast tracking trained immigrant Medical (and other) Professionals by placing them within positions of advancing responsibilities (and pay) while they are mentored, monitored and apprenticed within the Provincial Health Care system. It is counter productive forcing such talented people into dead end jobs just for survival (uber, pizza delivery, janitorial, meat packing - whatever...) while they spend years - and hard earned low wage monies trying to get the "Official Standard of Approval" to work in their chosen field. (The standards are OK - standards are fine - but there must be a fast track and helpful - and paid - way to get these people good work and any upgrading of skills quickly and efficiently - and not to simply use the regulatory Gatekeepers as barriers to keep them out of their chosen field for as long as possible...)

I support all the NDP proposals as does our family. WE cannot participate in the web functions. However, we would like to advise the NDP to start sending out your program, as we are having an election. There are many worrisome UCP issues that affect us, namely the change in pension, the change in policing, privatizing health care and on and on. Many of us are very worried, but it seems that the NDP are not out there in "short term" media. PROMOTE your platform, PLEASE!!!

This model is quite literally already in place? Primary Care Networks already have this medical home set up… But doctors don’t want other professionals to see their patients instead of them, because then they don’t get paid. It makes perfect sense, and if it was actually implemented it would likely be helpful. Patients go see other professionals for teaching, goal setting, lifestyle modifications which frees up more appointment spaces for the doctors.. But it’s like a big secret that there are other allied heath professionals available in medical homes. Literally patients do not know that it’s an option unless the doctors decide to refer to other professionals. So this is disappointing… because it’s already in place. It’s just not being done.

All Let’s get real. Canadian Medicare has become a religion. Jason Copping’s 43 million dollars today is $56 per person or $15 per year for 3 years. Duh? We need to repeal the Canada Health Act so we can pay our own money to get what services we want. We need to fire ALL the middle managers. We need local control over delivery.

The NDP has my Vote!

How are you going to recruit more doctors into alberta. As the province typically graduates 110 doctors per yr where only 43% become family doctors. Where are the needed doctors coming from. Might I pass a suggestion for recruitment and retention. Offer full scholarship to doctors and nurses willing to sign contracts to be placed and to remain in designated areas for a time period. A fast way to get our healthcare professionals back to where it is needed.

Excellent proposal! We had a good, working health care system until the UPC progressively underfunded it.

I am a patient at the Crowfoot Village Family Practice in NW Calgary. This office is structured the way you suggest. Unfortunately, during the Pandemic, things worked no better under this type of organization than under any other. It was almost impossible to see my doctor. I had several "phone" consults....never with my primary care physician. They had doctors rotating thru their doors and when I finally did see someone last April, it was again someone different who had no idea of my medical history. I finally saw a Nurse Practitioner and that was very good. She knew right away what was wrong and treated me. To be sure, she also referred me to a Specialist outside their office and that only took 2 months. To be honest, the best care and advice I get is from my Pharmacist at the Market Mall Shoppers Drug Mart. He is fantastic. He gives great advice and service, is caring and extremely knowledgeable. He takes the time to talk to you. He has been a godsend above and beyond anyone else. Teams are fine if they work but the constant revolving door of personnel is no better than going to a Walk in Clinic.

I'm 74 and haven't been to a doctor since before Covid and only recently found one that will accept me as a patient. I am so tired of the Authoritarian Facist BS that Danielle Smith is spouting and trying to force down our throats. We seniors will end up in big trouble with the Private sector she's endorsing

Where are you going to find the doctors and nurses and specialists and support staff that you need to hire for this program. Sounds like a lot of icing with no cake.

Being in the medical field as a nurse this proposal is quite vague. It does not actually provide more healthcare professionals, we are in short demand, regardless of restructuring. Restructuring will take more than your possible 4 year term. Billing will be very complicated and I see physicians making less money from this, which will not increase the number of available physicians. It does not answer for already difficult to access healthcare in rural areas. The best and easiest thing to do is to expand the electronic EMR or Connect Care to all health settings including community resources and organizations like the Boyle McCauley health centre.

Three of us in our household have been without a doctor since August. We need a doctor as all of us have multiple medical problems. This plan from the NDP sounds good to us.

We live in rural Alberta. Where is the money coming from to build new clinics? There is no place to build anything in our small town. Where is the money coming from to hire all the medical personnel you are dreaming of? Where is the money coming to house all these people? We have 5 vacant lots in our town to build homes on but they are less than ideal. Nice dream but that's all it is. The province does not have enough money to do this. I don't have the money to send to you to do this.

My bride and I am about to loose our Primary care doctor at the wonderful age of 70. In our search we are now burning through doctors throughout the Capital with no luck. We would be travelling 40kms should we find one. We have never felt so exposed to catastrophe as we feel today. We worked, paid our taxes and took care of our health, and now we are looking at private healthcare, under funded accounts and wait times longer than a disease can take our lives. Not having the funds to flee our home and this province is terrifying. ..passive eugenics, that's what it's called!!

I am excited to participate! I’d like to see Family medicine funded, & integrated with diverse and connected specialists. I also believe that from birth to death home-care can compliment improved healthcare and be preform cost effectively. Is there a secure https SSL sign up page for the consultations? Seems it’s broken, getting a 404 & unsecured page warning.

This plan seems much more accessible for people who need seen but don't necessarily need to be attending the emergency department. We could also situate some of these clinics close to hospitals as "step down" clinics in that, the multidisciplinary team sees patients there who might otherwise sit in emergency for hours. We could have lab, x ray etc at these clinics where people could immediately go, instead of waiting days for exams. The "step down" clinics could also refer directly to emergency if needed, or take people trialed by emergency RNs and save a lot of time in hospital waiting rooms.

I think we need to incentivize family physicians to practice family medicine. I know many family physicians who don't practice family medicine and have instead specialized (sports medicine, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, hospitalist positions, etc.) because the pay and/or lifestyle is better. I think reassessing the billing codes to ensure family physicians make a competitive wage within the medical field could benefit retention rates. There are also some specialties where billing codes could potentially be reduced a bit (radiology, ophthalmology, or other specialties that easily make over a million a year) giving some room in the budget to increase family doctor's compensation without taking money out of the budget for other healthcare workers salaries like nurses.

I applaud this new initiative, honestly we need an entirely different approach. The present system is broken, anyone in healthcare will agree.

I like this proposal and hope that it will be undertaken after May 29th. I also wonder if it is time to reinstate a 2 year Registered Nurse program. It is my understanding that nursing unions have been a deterrent to the idea. I do think an affordable program would encourage many more people to become nurses. A 4-year degree is just too expensive for many people. Rather than steal nurses from countries who need them, we could train Albertans for the positions.

I have lived here 55 years and I have never waited outside for a doctor

So with this plan, would I be able to make an appointment for indoors at a specific time for a health concern that I have? No more lining up outside in a line in Canadian winter?