er closures expose even deeper cracks in alberta's rural health-care planning, physicians warn
3 minute read
many rural hospitals only have two or three physicians covering emergency services.
jacob wackerhausen
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getty images
as temporary emergency room closures continue to disrupt health care in rural alberta, the alberta medical association says the problem extends well beyond physician shortages and scheduling, pointing instead to gaps in planning, coordination and long-term workforce management.
dr. brian wirzba, president of the alberta medical association (ama), said temporary emergency department closures are rarely the result of poor scheduling by local physicians.
instead, they often occur after months of unsuccessful attempts to find replacement doctors for planned vacations or unexpected absences.
“physicians deserve vacations and time away just like everyone else,” wirzba said. “many rural hospitals may have two or three physicians covering emergency services. if one or two are away, those gaps are identified well in advance and every effort is made to fill them.”
he added locum physicians are frequently brought in to cover shifts, but even with months of notice, replacement doctors are often unavailable.
noting alberta now has more licensed physicians than at any point in history, wirzba said the province still lacks a clear understanding of where doctors are practicing and whether they are working in areas with the greatest need.
“we have more physicians than we’ve ever had,” he said. “the question is: where are they, and what are they doing within their scope of practice? urban family physicians aren’t necessarily helping fill rural gaps.”
wirzba said better provincial coordination could significantly reduce disruptions. rather than allowing neighbouring emergency departments to close simultaneously, he said alberta health services should ensure coverage is staggered to maintain continuous access to emergency care across large geographic regions.
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he pointed to stretches between jasper and edmonton where closures could, and have, left residents travelling more than 300 kilometres to reach emergency care.
“the last thing you want is to drive to an emergency department only to find a sign on the door saying it’s closed,” he said. “a live public dashboard showing emergency department availability would be very helpful.”
wirzba also believes the province needs to remove logistical barriers that discourage physicians from accepting rural locum work, including providing better travel support during winter months, rental vehicles and stronger administrative coordination.
“this isn’t always about a physician shortage,” wirzba said. “sometimes it’s about making it easier for physicians to get where they’re needed.”
alberta health services said temporary service advisories remain a last resort and occur only after efforts to secure physician and staff coverage have been exhausted.
the health authority added that patients are redirected to surrounding facilities while emergency medical services, local clinical teams and the virtual emergency physician program help maintain access to care.
according to ahs, the virtual emergency physician program has prevented 98 per cent of potential emergency department disruptions caused by a lack of on-site physician coverage since its launch in january 2025. the province also says it continues to recruit physicians through northern incentive programs and the rural health professions action plan.
the ama is also warning alberta faces a looming workforce challenge as nearly half of the province’s physician workforce is expected to retire over the next decade.
recruitment efforts have improved through rural-focused medical training programs in grande prairie and lethbridge, which expose students to rural practice and increase the likelihood they remain in smaller communities after graduation.
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some municipalities have also begun offering office space, financial incentives and community supports to attract physicians.
“it’s a competitive marketplace,” wirzba said. “physician need to see rural alberta an attractive place to build a practice.”
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