Alberta Allocates $618 Million to Tackle Surgical Backlog

Alberta has allocated $618 million in its 2024 budget to tackle the province’s surgical backlog.

An additional $305 million has been set aside to enable Alberta Health Services to perform 310,000 surgeries this year, which marks a nearly six percent increase from 2022-2023.

Ms. LaGrange informed reporters, “We should ensure consistent health care delivery and quality across the province, with every Albertan accessing surgical care within recommended timelines.”

She added, “Albertans deserve dependable health care, and an enhanced integrated system will enhance patient outcomes and better support our healthcare professionals. While this will take time, immediate actions are needed to enhance capacity, reduce wait times, and address the current surgical backlog as we engage with Albertans and progress our refocusing efforts.”

If the budget is approved, the $313 million designated for ASI will be utilized to renovate surgical suites and support areas in various locations across the province, according to Ms. LaGrange.

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Doctor recruitment remains a concern for the province, but the health minister assured that it will not hinder the increase in surgeries.

She stated, “From what I understand, we have the necessary staff in place. However, there are certain staffing challenges, especially in anesthesia.”

According to her, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is actively recruiting more doctors, specifically anesthesiologists.

AHS interim vice president and chief operating officer Sean Chilton mentioned that the health agency is concentrating on recruitment efforts both within Canada and internationally.

He commented, “Workforce is always a priority, and we are committed to recruitment and retention. While we have made progress, there is still work to be done.”

One strategy to increase surgical procedures is to contract up to 65,000 surgeries to publicly funded specialized surgical facilities, as mentioned by the health minister. This approach would free up hospital operating rooms for more complex surgeries.

Ms. LaGrange emphasized, “This will relieve the pressure on our hospitals to focus on more complex surgeries. However, it is crucial that these surgeries are conducted within approved timeframes.”

If approved, the proposed budget will allocate $4.4 billion in operating expense funding for acute care in 2024-2025, representing a $60 million increase from the original projection. This funding will cover the Facilitated Access to Specialized Treatment (FAST) program.

The FAST program, which was introduced two years ago, aims to streamline referrals from family doctors and other providers to a central team. Patients are then directed to the specialist with the shortest waitlist, or to a specific surgeon if they prefer to wait longer.

While currently supporting urology, orthopedic, general, and vascular surgery cases, the program intends to expand to other specialties, including gynecology, over the next three years.