MLA’s Concerned Over Primary Care Network Reducing Hours For After Hours Clinic

The Wood Buffalo Primary Care Network will no longer be running their After Hours Clinic during the workweek.

The organization announced the decision on Tuesday claiming this is due to the provincial government’s new limit on daily patients.

They will continue to offer the clinic during the weekends.

MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Tany Yao tells Mix News he’s very concerned some people may not receive the help they need.

“The Primary Care Network in Fort McMurray is a very valuable service that we have and we do have limited services in our northern community.”

The GoA set the limit at 65. This was to ensure physicians and doctors didn’t burnout.

“That mirrors a policy that was set in British Columbia and there it demonstrated that it didn’t impact the physician’s ability to practice,” added Yao.

Meanwhile, Laila Goodridge, MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche, sent a statement to Mix News claiming there have been talks about finding a solution.

“They are a vital part of our community and relied upon by many families and individuals throughout the region. I have reached out to the Minister of Health on this important issue and our government has reached out to the Wood Buffalo PCN to discuss their concerns and to work proactively with them.”

Goodridge adds the average doctor sees around 22 patients a day and won’t be impacted by this limit.

Meanwhile, Mix News reached out to the PCN but did not receive a response.

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