The Alberta government is launching a review of rural health care.
“Rural communities face many daunting challenges, particularly when it comes to health care,” said premier Jim Prentice in a Sept. 23 announcement at Olds, Alta.
A common thread for most rural communities is the struggle to recruit health-care workers. Residents must also travel long distances for care.
Led by MLA Dr. Richard Starkey, the review panel must be completed in 90 days with a report delivered to health minister Steven Mandel.
The panel will focus on rural communities of three different sizes: communities with a population of less than 1,250, those in the 1,250-2,500 bracket and communities with more than 2,500 people.
The panel is charged with learning what level of care is offered in rural areas. It must also measure access to specialists, how best to use local facilities and implement local planning and how to link rural economic development and the provision of health services within communities.
