Weekly mailout to primary care
Hello all,
On behalf of AHS and our primary care partners, the Primary Health Care team is pleased to share the following items for distribution to your audiences as appropriate.
If you have any questions about the mailout, please contact me at Jane.Chamberlin@AHS.ca.
Thanks,
Jane
Clinical information
Important notice: Canada Post Disruption
Due to the Canada Post disruption, documents and reports cannot be delivered by mail. Alberta Health Services and Alberta Precision Laboratories are working to identify alternate delivery methods. Documents, letters, and results previously sent via Canada Post will be sent by fax if a fax number is available. For the duration of the disruption, results may be duplicated to Connect Care In Baskets. Clinical information remains accessible electronically via Alberta Netcare.
Mobile mammography service to visit Central and Northern Alberta
A mobile mammography trailer will be stationed at:
- Vermilion Senior’s Centre, 5324 50 Ave., Vermilion, Nov. 23-26
- Kitscoty Community Hall, 5202 51 St., Kitscoty, Nov. 27
- Redwater Community Health Centre, 4812 58 St., Nov 28 & 29
- Wetaskiwin Community Health Centre, 5610 40 Ave., Wetaskiwin, Nov 30
Screening is available at no cost for eligible individuals, but appointments are required. Call 1-800-667-0604 to book an appointment or learn more about the program.
AHS fall immunizations reminder
AHS is reminding Albertans that immunizations are the best way to protect yourself and the people around you against respiratory viruses including influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Fall immunizations are now available to all Albertans six months of age and older.
To learn more, visit myhealth.alberta.ca. To book an appointment, call Health Link at 811.
Health system updates
Alberta Health refocusing announcements
On November 18 Alberta Health made several announcements about the healthcare system refocusing process, including:
- Primary Care Alberta became a legal entity on November 18.
- There will be seven health corridors as part of the regional approach to health system planning.
- Acute Care Alberta will become a legal entity in early 2025 and will begin operating in spring 2025.
- The Acute Care Provincial Health Agency Executive Transition Team includes special advisor Dr. Chris Eagle, a former AHS CEO.
Read the full news release here.
Funding opportunities
Primary Care Innovation Fund
The Government of Alberta is making $3 million available as part of the Primary Care Innovation Fund to support Primary Care Networks. Alberta Health will be accepting proposals for projects focused on implementing and expanding validated technologies, processes, or services in primary care, with the goal of improving patient outcomes and enhancing the health system.
- Applicants are required to complete and submit the proposal template to hif@gov.ab.ca by December 15.
Rural Team Recruitment Grant Program
$12 million is available in funding for team-based primary care in rural areas by recruiting more rural healthcare providers and funding municipality run clinics. Deadline to apply is November 29.
Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) nurse funding
The Bursary for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN) provides funding to internationally educated nurses as they complete bridging training required to practice as a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse, in exchange for a period of time spent working in rural Alberta.
Canada extends loan forgiveness for nurses and doctors in rural, remote areas
The Government of Canada is expanding its loan forgiveness program for nurses and doctors in underserved rural and remote areas. Under an updated definition, doctors and nurses working in communities of 30,000 or fewer are eligible for Canada Student Loan forgiveness.
Engagement opportunities
Feedback Opportunity: Provincial Shoulder Primary Care Clinical Pathway
The Provincial Pathways Unit (PPU) is requesting assistance from primary care providers in reviewing the pathways below – please explore and provide feedback or email AlbertaPathways@ahs.ca.
The Provincial Shoulder Primary Care Pathway focuses on the primary care management of adult patients with shoulder pain that is acute, sub-acute or chronic in nature.
- This pathway will help primary care providers to manage shoulder pain within the medical home and indicate what referral triggers to watch for during ongoing patient monitoring.
- This pathway was developed from the Shoulder Assessment Clinical Pathway, which was developed under the guidance of the Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network and the Alberta Bone & Joint health Institute in 2022.
A Provincial Orthopedic & Spine Adult Referral Pathway is available to ensure the appropriate amount of information is included throughout the referral process to triage the patient as quickly as possible.
- Submit any feedback regarding this referral pathway (or others) here.
Explore more pathways at www.albertapathways.ca.
Nov. 27 is National Physician Assistants (PA) Day
Each year, Canada celebrates National Physician Assistants Day to honour the contributions and hard work of physician assistants. Physician assistants are highly skilled professionals that play a role enhancing the efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery and improving patient care.
Movember: Mental health resources for men
Sadly, three out of four suicide deaths are men. Throughout the month of November, or “Movember,” Recovery Alberta is sharing mental health resources to support men and their loved ones who may be struggling. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is help. There is hope. To learn more, and for a list of important numbers, click here.
Professional development and events
2024 Mackid Symposium: The Advocacy Agenda
Join the Department of Family Medicine (AHS, Calgary Zone) for this CME learning opportunity featuring a lineup of local expert speakers. This is an in-person event at the Winsport Markin Macphail Centre in Calgary.
Speakers include: Dr. Fiona Mattatal (Trans-Welcoming Practice), Dr. Julia Carter (Contraception Current State), Dr. Sonja Wicklum (Greening Practices & Planetary Health), Dr. Alex Kennedy (Low risk alcohol guidelines), Dr. Charlene Lyndon (Reproductive rights), and Dr. Jillian Arnold (MAID).
- Thursday, November 28 | 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
- See full event program here and website to register.
Give Life Alberta education sessions
Did you know there’s no such thing as an “organ donor card” in Alberta? Alberta Health Services’ organ and tissue donation program, Give Life Alberta is busting this myth and more in public education sessions.
These free, interactive, in-person or virtual presentations cover what Albertans need to know to leave a gift of life after they die.
Email GiveLifeAlberta@ahs.ca.
Supporting family caregivers
Health Workforce Canada is hosting an online session, about the importance of supporting family caregivers and their valuable role in the healthcare workforce. The session will review tangible work and discuss data and evidence, and potential solutions for workplaces to build a better system of support for family caregivers.
- Pop-up webinar | Tuesday, December 3rdfrom 11am – 12pm