Alberta’s Health-Care System Faces Crisis Amid Overcapacity Warnings

Dr. Paul Parks, an emergency room physician in Medicine Hat, has issued urgent warnings about a potential crisis in Alberta’s health-care system. He claims that the province’s hospitals, already strained and understaffed, are unprepared for the influx of patients expected during the upcoming flu and respiratory virus season. Parks, who has over 25 years of experience and previously served as president of the Alberta Medical Association, described the situation as “pure chaos.”

In a recent podcast episode of The Breakdown, Parks stated, “Things are bad,” emphasizing that Alberta’s health-care system is so disorganized that it cannot accommodate the anticipated surge in patients. He plans to hold town hall meetings across Alberta to raise public awareness about the crisis.

Internal data obtained by The Tyee reveals alarming statistics that support Parks’ claims. According to health policy experts who reviewed the graphs, the current state of Alberta’s health-care system is dire. Dr. James Talbot, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health from 2012 to 2015, expressed concern that the likelihood of a crisis is “unfortunately good,” predicting significant pressure on hospitals from November through February.

Factors Contributing to the Crisis

Experts blame a combination of governmental policies and structural issues for the impending crisis. Dr. Lorian Hardcastle, a health law professor at the University of Calgary, stated that the current administration has created a “perfect storm” of factors contributing to the dysfunction of the health-care system.

Three major issues have been identified: first, many hospitals are already operating above capacity, with an average occupancy rate of 101 percent, according to internal data. In some facilities, such as Calgary’s South Health Campus, occupancy has reached as high as 113 percent.

Second, the government initiated a controversial dismantling and restructuring of Alberta Health Services (AHS) shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many health care workers exhausted. The restructuring has led to thousands of AHS staff being reassigned to new agencies, raising concerns about efficiency and care quality.

Lastly, Alberta’s low immunization rates have been linked to the government’s decision not to promote vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, and respiratory illnesses. This strategy, described by Talbot as “anti-scientific,” is expected to exacerbate the health crisis, increasing the number of hospital admissions and putting further strain on the system.

Hospital Overcapacity and Patient Outcomes

Parks has highlighted that hospitals should ideally maintain a maximum occupancy of 85 percent to function effectively. Occupancy levels over 90 percent drastically reduce efficiency, and when hospitals exceed 100 percent, it leads to what Parks describes as gridlock.

In practice, this means patients may receive treatment in hallways or less-than-ideal conditions, with some waiting extended periods for necessary surgeries. For example, the emergency department at the University of Alberta Hospital sometimes has between 70 to 100 patients waiting, while the average wait time for treatment can exceed 12 hours.

A concerning percentage of patients are leaving emergency rooms without being seen. At Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital, 21 percent of patients left without receiving care, a statistic that Talbot deemed “deadly.” These individuals may return in worse health, increasing the likelihood of requiring hospitalization or intensive care.

Compounding these issues are “bed blockers,” primarily elderly patients who should be in long-term care facilities but occupy hospital beds instead. Internal documents indicate that nearly 40 percent of beds at some hospitals are taken up by patients requiring alternative care, further straining resources.

The government’s response to the crisis has been criticized for lacking urgency. While Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Adriana LaGrange indicated in July that a phased plan was in place for system operation, the effectiveness of these measures remains under scrutiny.

The UCP government has faced backlash for its handling of the health-care system, particularly from health policy experts. Critics argue that dismantling a well-integrated system during a pandemic recovery phase is ill-timed.

Parks has called for accountability, questioning the rationale behind the government’s decisions and urging transparency in the ongoing restructuring. He stated, “For the last two years, they have been trying to push a square peg into a round hole,” emphasizing the need for a coherent and effective health-care strategy.

As Alberta approaches the winter months, the combination of overcrowded hospitals, inadequate staffing, and low immunization rates raises significant concerns about the province’s readiness to handle an impending health-care crisis. The upcoming flu season may further test a system already on the brink, prompting urgent calls for action and reform.