Grant programs expected to bring more doctors to rural Alberta over the next two years

“This is a great example of how we’re delivering real improvements in primary health care. Our bursary program will help bring more family doctors to rural communities, and the team-based care grants mean Albertans will have better access to health professionals who can support their needs,” said Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services. “Physicians are choosing to practise in Alberta in record numbers, especially family doctors, and we’re working to make sure they increase access for patients in rural Alberta as well as in the cities.”

In the first round of funding there will be 29 clinics that will receive support in communities such as Consort, Drumheller, Stettler, Crowsnest Pass, Cold Lake, Grande Cache, Peace River, Delburne, Drayton Valley, Barrhead and Bashaw.

The province anticipates that approximately 52 new full-time health professionals will be hired, with a second intake for the grant program opening soon.

The government says the Rural and Remote Family Medicine Resident Physician Bursary Pilot Program helps retain doctors in Alberta’s rural and remote communities by providing bursaries of $125,000 for rural placements and $200,000 for remote placements. These are only provided to doctors who commit to working in eligible communities after completing their training.

Bursaries are also available to medical students from any Canadian university who have matched to a family medicine residency program at the University of Alberta or the University of Calgary.

“This bursary is an investment in Alberta’s future. It gives resident physicians the support they need while helping rural and remote communities attract and keep family doctors,” said Justin Wright, parliamentary secretary for rural health (south).