The Redford government says its $50-million plan to bring family care clinics (FCCs) to 24 communities is great news for Alberta, bringing up-to-date, 24-hour-a-day health-care services to many residents.
“Our government made a commitment to Albertans that we would increase access to primary health care, and we are doing just that,” said Premier Alison Redford.
“We are working with physicians and other health-care providers on how primary care evolves in the future, and part of that work is moving forward with Family Care Clinics. Today is the next step in fulfilling our commitment.”
Whether Albertans should be pleased or wary of Redford's clinic plans remains to be seen. What is certain is that clinics are not and never will be adequate replacements for well-equipped, well-staffed modern hospitals.
The new stand-alone clinics will be staffed by health workers who will provide non-emergency primary health-care services, such as diagnosis and treatment of illness, screening, immunization, health promotion, chronic disease prevention and management, and links to other health and community agencies.
The towns and cities selected to have new clinics were deemed to have “the greatest need for improved access to primary health care, and are considered to be ready and have the capacity to implement an FCC,” said Redford.
Although Red Deer and Sylvan Lake are among the communities getting new FCCs, no towns or villages in Mountain View County are on the list.
Liberal Leader Raj Sherman says the government's FCC plans leave important questions unanswered.
“Alberta Liberals have always supported multidisciplinary, coordinated primary care,” says Sherman. “My concern, however, is that the Redford Conservatives will cannibalize other parts of the health-care system to staff and fund these proposed FCCs.
“Without adequate funding for front-line staff, cuts will be needed to make these FCCs happen. This was a feel-good announcement, but that's all it is until Alison Redford engages in meaningful and respectful consultation with doctors and other health-care workers.”
Wildrose health critic Heather Forsyth added: “We are disappointed at the lack of information and details coming from this government about the total cost of the clinics.”
Albertans, no matter where they live, are right to insist that the Redford government provide accessible quality medical services – whether it's in big cities or small rural towns, Alberta health care must be for all Albertans.
As such, while the new FCCs are good news for the cities and towns involved, residents in the many, many other communities left off the list, including those in West Central Alberta, are right to insist that their health needs are also met in a timely fashion.
