Hanna council hears physician recruitment committee formed

Stu Salkeld,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Hanna council heard that a medical professionals recruitment and retention committee has been formed that includes one doctor. The medical clinic update was given at the March 11 regular meeting of council.

Councillors heard a presentation by Dr. Wendy Fortna of Hanna Medical Clinic that updated them on the state of that facility, the hospital and healthcare services in the community.

Fortna began her presentation by noting councillors may have recently noticed rolling closures of some emergency rooms (ER) in central Alberta, most notably Stettler, Coronation and Consort.

“So we’re really concerned about that and want to make sure that the people of our town have continuous access to healthcare, including emergency services,” said Fortna, adding that Hanna Medical Clinic has four physicians, one who works full-time. Three other physicians spend part of their time at the clinic but part of their time on other local healthcare duties.

Fortna noted that councillors may have also heard community complaints that Hanna Medical Clinic isn’t accepting new patients, which is true, “…and that’s because we are full.”

The doctor explained there are a few factors behind this, including that some Hanna residents who move away can’t find doctors in their new communities so remain with their Hanna physician.

Also, Fortna pointed out Hanna’s population doesn’t appear large enough to support a fifth doctor at the clinic.

Fortna explained to hire a new physician would require between 500 and 700 unattached patients while the clinic currently knows about 100; the larger number is needed to provide the physician with four days of work per week.

Mayor Danny Povaschuk asked if the existing doctors could part with some of their patients to alleviate their workload and allow for a new doctor to be hired.

Fortna responded the patients would have a voice in such a decision.

She noted, however, Hanna has recently hosted a resident doctor or “student doctor” which had great results. In fact, stated Fortna, two more residents are scheduled to work in Hanna soon. They handle primary care and ER, with some housing help from the Rural Physician Action Plan (RPAP).

Fortna also gave an update on the Hanna Hospital; she observed the hospital has 10 beds plus two recently re-opened for a total of 12, which she noted is suitable for a town of Hanna’s size.

Fortna noted she is a member of the newly formed Hanna Physician Recruitment and Retention committee which plans to meet with some stakeholders soon to discuss issues like funding.

The doctor noted some committee plans likely require funding.

Also, Fortna notified councillors that provincial changes to Alberta Health Services (AHS) appear to be largely administrative; such changes shouldn’t have an effect on frontline healthcare services.

One issue Fortna hoped the Town of Hanna could help with is informing newcomers to the community that the Hanna Hospital doesn’t offer specialty medical services such as baby delivery and internal medicine. She noted the Hanna community is too small to support specialized services; it was noted during Fortna’s presentation the last baby born in Hanna arrived in 2010.

Councillors discussed specialized medical services with Dr. Fortna; she pointed out the substantial cost of machines such as ultrasound, the specialized training needed to operate such machines and interpret results plus the issue of housing specialists who the community would need to recruit.

The topic of housing was one that Fortna stated the recruitment committee asked for the town’s help; she noted the committee would like a list of housing options for residents to use when they come to Hanna.

Councillors agreed to investigate.

Fortna also noted an opportunity for someone in Hanna: AHS is looking for a non-medical transport vendor who would in effect transport clients who don’t need an ambulance crew.

Fortna stated an issue had arisen where ambulances were being used for transport including instances when an ambulance crew wasn’t necessary.

Fortna stated this opportunity would involve contracting with AHS and being reimbursed for expenses later.

Councillors thanked Fortna for her update.

Stu Salkeld,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
East Central Alberta Review