Residents on surgical waitlists in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo will be receiving automated phone calls from Alberta Health Services (AHS) as part of a new initiative.

Over the next few months, patients in the North Zone awaiting surgery with plastic, vascular, orthopedic, ear/nose/throat and otolaryngology surgeons can expect to receive an automated phone call from the AHS Surgery Waitlist Management Team.

If you’ve heard the following script from AHS, it is a real call and not a scam.

• Script if you answered the phone (automated): “Hello, this is the Alberta Health Services, Surgery Wait List Management Team, automated call out service. We are in the process of confirming the wait list status for [patient first name]. To confirm that we have reached the right number, press 1. If this is a wrong number, press 7.”

• Script if you answered the phone (in-person): “I am calling on behalf of Alberta Health Services. We are calling to confirm your status on the surgical waitlist. To ensure we are speaking to the correct person I need to ask you if you could please spell your last name for me and confirm your date of birth before we proceed.”
• Script if a voicemail was left: “Hello, this is the Alberta Health Services, Surgery Wait List Management Team, automated call out service. We are in the process of confirming the wait list status for [patient first name]. For more information about this service, please visit us at AHS.ca/waitlist. To update your records please call 1-866-803-8080.”

If you have received an automated call from AHS, you’re directed to call 1-866-803-8080.

Hanging up on the call or not calling back will not affect your position on the waitlist, but it is encouraged that you call.

AHS will never ask for financial information or any personal information other than your provincial personal health number or birthdate as part of these calls.

If the call requests banking information, your social insurance number, or any other financial information, hang up and inform the RCMP.