The Rocky Mountain House Health Centre's surgical program is 'a vital resource' for the community and Central Alberta, says Alberta Health Services.
Last month, the Rocky Mountain House doctors expressed concern over the surgical program, saying it was in jeopardy.
AHS issued a media release Thursday, Oct. 31, stating the provincial health authority and local physicians are "committed to supporting and growing local healthcare, now and into the future."
Leadership from AHS' central zone has recently met with local physicians and site representatives. These conversations "underscored a shared desire to see the surgical program in Rocky Mountain House grow and serve the needs of the patients from the community and surrounding area," states the media release.
AHS states it is prioritizing recruitment and retention efforts to support the surgical program, which includes the hiring of a permanent, full-time general surgeon as soon as possible. Outreach with interested candidates is underway — it's possible the position will be filled with one full-time general surgeon or two part-time surgeons.
“I am pleased that Alberta Heath Services has heard our community’s concerns and reassured Rocky Mountain House that they remain fully committed to preserving the surgical program currently available at the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre," said Jason Nixon, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA.
"The surgical program is critical to health care in Rocky Mountain House and the surrounding community, and I am glad that AHS is taking the community’s concerns seriously and is recruiting a general surgeon to support this program.”
AHS also says it is in agreement with the local physicians that together with the local gynecologist, at least three days of general surgery per week will allow for growth of the local surgical program. AHS is eyeing for it to be a robust and sustainable program that encompasses multiple surgical disciplines and fully utilizes Rocky Mountain House’s new OR for the benefit of patients.
Recruitment efforts continue for an additional general practitioner with anesthesia training and for a physician with obstetrical surgical skills who can support c-sections. Both of these positions will further support not only the surgical program, but the busy obstetrics service and, most importantly, the community. AHS is also recruiting for a family physician and a family physician with basic obstetrics for the community to complement the existing physician group.
Additionally, AHS continues to recruit for additional nursing staff in collaboration with community and RhPAP partners – while working to retain existing talent. This work includes securing new Internationally Educated Nurses, engaging with our existing staff to help inform new schedule rotations, adjusting full- and part-time positions to meet interest and demand, and increasing development and education supports to help with retention.
“I am delighted that Alberta Health Services is working to ensure the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre remains operational to patients in the community and surrounding areas," said Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange.
"The recruitment of specialized physicians and nurses to the health centre will provide added skills and services to support and meet the needs of the growing region.”
Further redevelopment of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre will also be completed next year, which will support the growth of the surgical program. This work, when combined with additional staffing and physician resources, will enable the site to run endoscopies and surgeries. Currently, both utilize the new OR suite.
