EDMONTON — Alberta’s government says physicians will be allowed to perform both publicly funded and privately paid surgeries beginning this fall under a new dual practice model aimed at increasing surgical capacity and reducing wait times.
The province announced Thursday the framework will take effect in September and allow eligible physicians to provide services in both the public health-care system and accredited private surgical facilities.
Premier Danielle Smith said the move is intended to give Albertans more options while helping address persistent surgical backlogs.
“Doing more of the same will not reduce Alberta’s surgical wait times,” Smith said in a statement.
Eligible procedures will include hip and knee replacements, cataract surgeries, some ear, nose and throat procedures, gynecological surgeries, dermatology, plastic surgery and certain minimally invasive general surgeries such as hernia repairs.
The province says emergency care, life-saving procedures and cancer treatment will remain exclusively within the publicly funded system.
Family physicians will generally not be eligible to participate, although those with subspecialties in anesthesia or surgical assistance may qualify.
Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said the province has built safeguards into the system to protect access to publicly funded care.
Among the measures are minimum public-service requirements for participating physicians, mandatory reporting and integrated electronic medical records for privately delivered services.
“It’s important we get this right,” LaGrange said. “We will closely monitor dual practice and make changes if needed to ensure shorter waits, more choice and better access for Albertans.”
The province says Alberta performed a record number of surgeries last year but many patients continue to face lengthy waits for procedures.
Officials argue allowing physicians to practise in both systems will increase overall surgical capacity and help patients receive treatment sooner.
Supporters of the model point to several European countries and Australia, where mixed public-private systems are permitted.
Dr. Trevor Brooks, a plastic, hand and reconstructive surgeon, said the framework could help address bottlenecks in the surgical system.
“This is not an abstract ideological debate; it is a practical mechanism to get my patients out of pain and back to their lives, sooner,” Brooks said.
The province says physicians will still be free to work entirely within the public system or entirely in private practice if they choose.
An expression of interest process for physicians is scheduled to open June 22, with formal applications expected later this summer.
The government says Alberta will continue to comply with the Canada Health Act and maintains no Albertan will be required to pay out of pocket for medically necessary care.
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