There appears to be considerable apprehension and misunderstanding about the physician and general medical services in High River. As the chief of staff for the High River Hospital I would like to give a current summary of the services and an outlook for the future.
The High River Hospital has basically been fully operational since the end of July. The emergency department is open full-time, we are running full obstetric services, including 24 hour surgical and anesthesia coverage. We have been admitting patients to active care since July and long-term care is full. All diagnostic and support services are operational. The last service to return was the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, which is now operational. AHS has been instrumental in helping with this rebuild and has been very supportive of staff and physicians.
Many local physicians were, and remain, displaced from their community offices. Those physicians who previously practiced in the Charles Clark Medical Centre are still working in that location with the same number of physicians. All other physicians are working at the Charles Clark centre either at the PCN clinic on the main floor or a temporary mobile clinic in the parking area. The Highwood Health Centre is being repaired and will reopen within the next few months. A temporary medical centre is not planned, at the present time, as these accommodations are adequate.
Prior to the flood in June, the town lost two physicians and the remaining group has attempted to see as many of their now unattached patients as possible. The rest of the patients have been accessing other acute health services or have made arrangements with physicians in other communities. Seven local physicians are in the floodway and are eligible for a provincial buy out. Since the flood, only one physician, Dr. Bagdan, has announced a departure. She is a tremendous physician and will be sorely missed. We wish she and her family well.
It is my understanding that the other physicians have no intent, at this time, to leave their practices. They have committed themselves to continue working in High River, even though many will be moving their personal residences. Many of the physicians are still working through personal and professional problems and uncertainties caused by the flood, but the majority of them are not planning to leave their community practices or their hospital. The rumor that eight physicians might be leaving is incorrect. This should be reassuring to local residents. Most of the physicians in High River have full practices, but many of Dr. Bagdan’s patients have made arrangements with these physicians to be added to their lists. In spite of those who may find a local physician, there will continue to be a physician shortage just as there was prior to the flood.
Medical recruitment is an ongoing challenge for most rural communities. The High River Hospital has an active recruitment committee and uses it in helping to find new physicians who match our needs. This committee is helped by local and regional AHS administration. We have the support of the new mayor and town council and hope to be meeting with them reasonably soon as part of our recruitment strategy. Things change in people’s lives. Opportunities arise and responsibilities change. Just as politicians, accountants, bankers, mechanics and editors come and go, so do physicians. There is a significant shortage in Canada of physicians interested and committed to rural medicine. Thee is a huge selection of communities that any interested, qualified physician can choose from. We are one. We happen to think that we are one of the best choices, but it’s a stiff competition. It is no different now than before the flood.
The High River physicians are a professional, dedicated group of multi-talented individuals. It is an honor former to work with them. Just as most of the High River residents are struggling, in one form or another, due to the flood, so are most of these physicians. In spite of these struggles they continue to provide in-house (hospital) and out-of-house (office related) activities continuously. They have done so, in one form or another, since June 20 and this will not change. We hope to retain who we have and recruit dedicated new physicians. Only time can tell what the full consequences of the flood and our recruitment efforts will be.
Keith Spackman is the Chief of Staff at the High River Hospital and Alberta Health Services associate medical director, Calgary zone EMS.
