Medicentres Face Closures Amidst Rising Costs and Doctor Shortage
In Edmonton and Calgary, several Medicentre walk-in clinics and family practices have shuttered or are on the brink of closure, leaving thousands of patients without access to healthcare services. The Gateway Medical Clinic on Calgary Trail in south Edmonton, servicing over 7,000 individuals, is slated to close in May.
According to patient Jean Mill, the clinic is closing because the remaining doctors cannot afford the rent and have been unable to recruit replacements for those retiring. The situation has raised concerns, particularly among seniors with complex health conditions, who may have difficulty finding new healthcare providers.
Alberta’s family practices operate as small businesses, with physicians charging the province based on predetermined fees. However, rising operating costs and a shortage of family doctors have made it financially unsustainable for many practices to continue operating. Medicentres in Riverbend Square and Castle Downs have already closed their doors.
In a letter to patients at a north side clinic, management cited insufficient reimbursement from the Alberta government as a primary reason for the closure. Wayne Samuels, General Manager of Medicentres Canada, expressed concern over the situation, emphasizing the escalating costs facing clinics and the need for more family doctors to meet the growing demand.
Despite the closures, Samuels noted that recent government funding and a forthcoming new compensation model offer some hope. The transitional funding program provides one-time payments to physicians to stabilize clinics and cover rising costs.
Alberta Health has stated that the new compensation model is designed to support family physicians in providing comprehensive patient care, building long-term relationships, and meeting healthcare needs throughout all phases of life. It will also encourage physicians to take on more patients, ensuring more Albertans have access to primary care providers.
