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By Brendan Miller

Health care budget aims to tackle wait times and doctor shortage

Feb 28, 2023 | 3:25 PM

The UCP says it is setting a new record for health-care spending this year by committing an additional $965 million in operating expenses.

The money is meant to address urgent action that is needed in the health-care system which includes improving ambulance response times, decreasing emergency room wait times, reducing wait times for surgeries and attracting more frontline health-care workers.

Lack of access to a family doctor has been a concern for many across Alberta. Budget 2023 includes $158 million this year to attract, recruit and train more doctors and nurses to work across the province, with a focus on family physicians for rural areas.

Alberta’s primary health-care system is being strengthened and modernized with a record $2 billion over three years. Another $336 million over three years will strengthen emergency medical service. A portion of the funding will be used to hire more staff and implement recommendations from the Alberta EMS Provincial Advisory Committee. A new capital program will provide $15 million over three years to put more ambulances on the road.

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There is also $3.1 billion over three years to modernize and expand health facilities across Alberta, including the Red Deer Regional Hospital. In order to complete more surgeries, there are plans to expand capacity for operating rooms in 15 communities.

Budget 2023 also funds additional seats for physician training at Alberta’s medical schools. The government also plans to attract internationally educated nurses by addressing the barriers they face to securing employment here including complex regulatory requirements.