“Say thank you”

@todmaffin

Somewhere between the balcony applause and ER hallways, we lost the plot.

♬ original sound – Tod Maffin

Primary Care – What do we know?

In this video, Dr. Braden Manns highlights some things that are known about improving Canada’s primary care for patients, families, physicians….everyone.

@bradenmannsyyc

We know what works in primary care: planning, teams, and payment reform. The challenge is doing it at scale. Check out my substack for what the experts say needs to be done, and listen to Dr. Kiran’s podcast, the link is in my bio. #healthcarecanada #primarycare #ontariohealthcare

♬ original sound – bradenmannsyyc – bradenmannsyyc

Add Your Voice

“Bill 11 opens the door to two-tier, Americanized health care in Canada. We urgently need action from the Federal Government to safeguard our public health care and protect patients by speaking out against the Alberta government’s Bill 11 and enforcing the Canada Health Act.”  Click here to add your voice.

Who’s the boss?

Dr. Braden Manns looks at the idea of boss with respect to physicians and what it can mean to patients.

@bradenmannsyyc

Who’s the Boss? Is your doctor in charge of your health care? Are you? Who really has oversight and accountability into the care you receive? Part 3 of my series on physicians looks at accountability and quality oversight in the system…and it’s more limited than we all might expect! Learn more on my substack. Bradenmanns.substack.com canadianhealthcare canadianphysicians quebecphysicians quebechealthcare medicare

♬ original sound – bradenmannsyyc – bradenmannsyyc

Alberta –  Dual practice medical model for several surgeries

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

In September, Alberta will be going to a dual practice medical model. This will allow doctors to bill surgeries to both public and private systems. The claim is that this dual system will reduce surgical wait times for patients. Will it?

If you have not read Stephen Hunt’s article, you may wish to do so.

Alberta’s Bill 11

The law firm Goldblatt Partners describes the changes introduced by Bill 11 as “the most extensive privatization of payment for medically required physician services since the Canada Health Act’s enactment in 1984.”

They add that it “permits queue-jumping and creates a parallel private pathway for the provisions of medically necessary care to insured residents of Alberta, contrary to the core objectives and provisions of the Canada Health Act.”

Click here to read the full article.

https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2026/05/06/legal-expert-dual-practice-health-model-violates-federal-law/

Will other hospitals do the same?

Photo by    www.kaboompics.com: https://www.pexels.com/photo/plush-toy-in-top-of-blankets-4886897/

If you are in an emergency room on Vancouver Island and see carts being wheeled around filled with items such as blankets, neck pillows, and stuffed animals, you are probably in one of urgent care facilities that are implementing “Comfort Carts.” The single-use items on the cart are given to seniors as way to help individuals feel more comfortable as they wait to receive healthcare. “‘And gosh, does it ever feel good when you see the smile on a senior’s face, or the comfort, that look of relief when you ­provide those kinds of items to a senior in distress.'”

Click here to read more about this initiative.

Bill 11 – Threat to Public Healthcare in Alberta and Beyond

Click here or on the above image to read the letter.

Alberta’s ‘Dual practice’ health plan: improve or worsen wait times?

Image by Wim van ‘t Einde https://unsplash.com/photos/clear-glass-hour-glass-with-blue-liquid-iEhFJJAMTK4?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink

The Alberta Givernment claims that their dual practice will decrease wait times. Others, including medical associations, physicians disagree.

“‘Doctors across Canada are deeply concerned about the Alberta government’s proposal to expand private health care…This plan would take resources away from the public system and create a private option that only some people could afford. That would mean longer waits, fewer available doctors, and more strain on the public system, the one that most people depend upon.'”

Read more here.

A Letter From an Alberta Doctor

Check out this thread to read @RajSherman’s full letter.