The Town of Coaldale will support Lethbridge's request for physician recruitment advocacy. (Photo: Town of Coaldale)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge & Coaldale to work together on attracting medical specialists

Dec 10, 2024 | 10:35 AM

COALDALE, AB – Two neighbouring communities are looking to help each other out when it comes to physicians.

Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen presented to Coaldale Town Council on Monday, December 9, 2024, asking for help in the city’s physician recruitment advocacy.

He says there has been progress in attracting family physicians this year, but more would always be of benefit.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta reports a net increase of 22 physicians (family medicine and specialist) in Lethbridge between September 2023 and September 2024.

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However, Hyggen notes that a few specialists are set to retire or leave the community in the coming months, so attracting more specialists will be a major priority.

Specialty areas that Hyggen says require attention and advocacy include:

• Anesthesiology
• Cardiology
• Child and adolescent mental health
• Diagnostic imaging
• Emergency medicine
• Geriatrics
• Internal medicine
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Pain management

The city’s mayor believes this is an important issue for Coaldale.

According to Alberta Health Services, nearly one-third of Coaldale residents go to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge annually, accounting for 8,622 visits between 2021 and 2024.

By attracting more specialty programs in Lethbridge, Hyggen says it will help to reduce strain on health facilities in Coaldale, reduce wait times, and decrease the need for longer travel for specialist care.

Hyggen made the short trek to Coaldale to ask for its mayor Jack Van Rijn to write a letter to Health Minister Adriana LaGrange in support of Lethbridge’s efforts for physician recruitment.

Coaldale Councillor Jacen Abrey says he “completely supports” this, and asked if Lethbridge could reciprocate.

Abrey says the community is trying to reopen its emergency department and having the support of Lethbridge City Council would be of great help. As the presentation was not made in Lethbridge’s council chambers, Hyggen was not able to officially give his endorsement.

Van Rijn agreed to provide a letter to the health minister, saying it would be sent out this week.

READ MORE: City of Lethbridge launches new plan to recruit physicians

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