Dr.

Linda Slocombe, President Alberta Medical Association 12230 106 Ave NW Edmonton AB T5N 3Z1 Thursday, April 5, 2012 Dear Dr Slocombe, I am writing to clarify some points you have made in your letter of April 5, 2012 to all AMA members that has subsequently been made available to the Alberta media. Obviously, there has been a substantial misunderstanding about the role and purpose of the Family Care Clinics in our province. I am certain that the AMA and its members share my belief that in the development of the system, patient needs must come first. That is why my government increased funding to Primary Care Networks by 24%, an increase that was long overdue. As you are aware, my government has committed to all 21 of the recommendations of the Health Quality Council, including the recommendation that Alberta Health Services : ... undertake no further major restructuring in Albertas health care system without first having a clear rationale for the change including a transition plan that specifies the potential ramifications to safety and quality of patient care, the well-being of front-line providers, and the overall integrity of the health care system. That is why our proposal for Family Care Clinics is designed to work with Primary Care Networks. In fact, at least two Primary Care Networks are functioning in much the fashion we expect to see from Family Care Clinics.

Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta 9823 - 103 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 0X9 - (780) 423-1624

To imply there is no transition plan when the AMA is sitting on the evaluation team for the Family Care Clinics pilot project was very disappointing to me. As we discussed two weeks ago, my government is committed to working with the AMA to create a better environment for patients. My government is committed to continuous improvement of the health care system. As I have personally advised you, my government will be pleased to work with doctors in developing the new Family Care Clinic model while respecting existing Primary Care Networks. I agree fully with your predecessor, Dr. White, when he stated: Primary care networks have changed the face of primary medical care. Next is to have PCNs change the face of primary health care. Lets build upon what weve already achieved. This is the entire concept behind the Family Care Clinics. The well-being of front line providers is also a priority for my government. That is why moving to a team based approach is so vital. You have also suggested that a medical clinic in Calgary closed when a Family Care Clinic opened nearby. This is simply factually incorrect. The Mosaic Primary Care Network should confirm that the medical clinic in question was deemed to be fiscally unsustainable and was voluntarily closed by the PCN. Following that closure, the Family Care Clinic moved into the exact same space after the PCN had decided to cease operations. My understanding from my Minister of Health is that the AMA has brought no preventative health proposals forward to our government since I became Premier. That is disappointing as I expect you would have found my government very open to making these type of changes. I hope you will also pass on to your members that the support for a Family Care Clinic is available. Already there are many medical clinics with six, eight or more physicians working together within a Primary Care Network. These clinics are ideally poised to become Family Care Clinics and grow their practices. This is the evolution we are looking forward to developing. I have attached a letter Minister Horne provided to you yesterday that you agreed to circulate to your members supporting this commitment. Like you, my government is keen to avoid needless duplication and disruption.

Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta 9823 - 103 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 0X9 - (780) 423-1624

In closing Dr Slocombe, I would like to contrast my position with that of the Wildrose Alliance Party. They stand for: Dismantling Alberta Health Services and returning to a regional health board model. Introducing a new blended health care model featuring more private health care. Freezing development of critical health care facilities in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and other centres in Alberta.

On this latter point, just today the Wildrose Alliance Party reconfirmed their intention to freeze opening of the critically needed South Calgary Health Campus. Surely this is worthy of comment by the AMA? Perhaps in a future Presidents letter you will address the potential disruption the Wildrose Alliance proposals will have on Albertans health care system. Sincerely,

Alison Redford Premier

Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta 9823 - 103 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 0X9 - (780) 423-1624