Health Minister Tyler Shandro (Gov't of Alberta livestream)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

update from the health minister

WATCH: Health Minister Shandro announces changes expected to enhance rural health care

Apr 24, 2020 | 1:13 PM

Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro made a number of announcements Friday afternoon that he says will strengthen the recruitment and retention of rural doctors.

Chief among the changes is an abolishment of the $60,000 cap on the Rural and Remote Northern Program. Shandro said this will allow doctors to earn up to an additional $26,500.

Overhead changes implemented earlier this year are also being paused for urban physicians so that an AHS review can take place. Rural doctors will be permanently exempt.

“Over the last several weeks, discussions with rural caucus and rural physicians have made it clear that there are unique challenges to recruiting and retaining physicians in communities outside of Alberta’s major cities,” the minister stated. “These changes recognize that difference and will significantly improve access to health care for patients in rural communities.”

Also announced:

residential mill rate to hold steady

Penhold town council approves final tax rate increases

7h ago

tips to prevent fires

Sylvan Lake urges extra caution as dry conditions push fire risk higher

7h ago

Guest speaker Chad Reyes

Premier Danielle Smith addresses Red Deerians at Christian Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

12h ago

-Medical liability rates for all rural physicians, including obstetrics, will be frozen at $1,000.

-On-call rates for all rural physicians will range from $20 per hour to $23 per hour, increasing payments to more than 1,500 physicians

-$6 million will be used to pay for the schooling of 20 medical students over the next three years to incentivize young Albertans from rural communities to return to practise in their home communities

The entire announcement is worth $81 million.

The opposition NDP, meantime, are characterizing the announcement as putting a knife in the back of rural Alberta while offering a band-aid.

“I didn’t hear him admit any mistakes. I didn’t hear him accept any responsibility. And I didn’t see any doctors willing to stand beside him for his announcement. Instead, he called them liars,” said David Shepherd, Critic for Health.

“Doctors are heroes,” Shepherd continued. “They’re putting their lives on the line every day to keep us safe during this deadly pandemic. In contrast, Tyler Shandro showed up at a doctor’s house at night and yelled at him in front of his family. He inappropriately pressured AHS for doctors’ personal cell phone numbers so he could call them at night. He’s triggered a quarter-billion lawsuit from doctors against the province. And in the midst of his war with doctors, he launches a health app, after no consultation with doctors, and triggers an investigation from the privacy commissioner.”

Shandro’s livestream can be viewed below: