Province, physicians look for staffing and capacity solutions as COVID-19 spreads
Both the provincial government and the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) say they're ready to collaborate to help the strained health system as a busy autumn approaches.
Alberta reported a spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations, intensive care admissions and deaths Wednesday.
The data, compiled from the past week, says 33 more people died after contracting the illness. That brings the province's pandemic total to 4,905.
Another 134 Albertans were admitted to hospital, which means there are now 980 people being treated inside a facility — 39 of those in an intensive care unit.
The uptick has some on high alert.
"We are nervous about the fall," said Dr. Vesta Michelle Warren, AMA president. "We know COVID is still out there and we are predicting a really bad influenza season."
"Overall, our system is absolutely operating in (a) disaster mode type of functioning every single day," physician Dr. Paul Parks added. "Across all zones, every emergency department, we are seeing more and more patients."
Currently in Alberta, 16 hospitals are dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak.
That has sparked added conversation between the province and health care workers as preparations are made for even higher case admissions ahead of influenza season.
"We know there are no quick fixes," Health Minister Jason Copping said, "(but) Alberta Health Services is putting together plans to increase capacity, particularly in areas where there's stress already."
But Parks believes increasing capacity will only go so far.
Across the country, almost every health facility is dealing with staffing shortages. Parks says those on his floor want that problem to be focused on first.
Copping says he's open to hearing suggestions from stakeholders.
"We need to work in partnership," he said about the province and physicians, "and there has been an incredible improvement in the relationship over the last year."
That sometimes-fraught relationship was positively displayed as the two sides reached a new contract agreement this week.
Both parties stressed collaboration Thursday.
"That's why this agreement is so important, because it actually provides the base for an ongoing partnership with doctors, so we can work together to solve these challenges," Copping said.
The health minister also preached the importance of the latest COVID-19 booster shot and of flu shots.
Appointments for the latter should open up in mid-October.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'