Alberta Hospitals Overwhelmed: Doctors Demand More Surgery Cancellations

Physicians are raising alarms over Alberta's response to severe hospital overcrowding, questioning the low number of non-emergency surgeries canceled. Health officials reported only six such procedures were rescheduled in January due to capacity issues, a figure doctors describe as "surprisingly low" given the persistent strain on emergency rooms. Dr. Paul Parks, president-elect of the Alberta Medical Association's emergency medicine section, warns of an "unmitigated disaster."

Doctors explain that emergency rooms are often filled with admitted patients awaiting ward beds, creating bottlenecks. They advocate for canceling scheduled surgeries to free up these beds, potentially saving lives, citing past practices where more cancellations occurred during similar crises. The Alberta government, however, maintains that decisions are made by clinical teams at individual sites and denies any policy changes regarding surgery cancellations.

Despite the government's assurances of provincial coordination through Acute Care Alberta, critics argue the recent health restructuring has fragmented decision-making authority. A spokesperson for the Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services acknowledged increased pressure from an early flu spike but expressed cautious optimism about demand easing. Overcapacity protocols, surge beds, and increased staffing are reportedly in place.