Opinion: Province needs to make realistic investments in team-based primary health care
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The Alberta government made improving access to primary care health services a priority in its health system reforms. Yet, the $644 million it announced in this year's budget to connect every Albertan to a primary care team and improve access to front-line health services falls short of the funding necessary to achieve this.
Family doctors cannot continue to deliver care without a well-resourced and supported team. Refocusing the system around team-based care — in which patients have timely access to family doctors, nurse practitioners and other health-care professionals — is a critical, long-term project. The government must be clear-sighted about the investments needed to build a system that delivers for all Albertans.
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