Some families in the Crossfield area will be losing access to their family doctors after the announcement that a family practice would be closing in three months' time.  

Dr. Patrick Bailey of Crossfield Family Practice posted on their website this week that on September 1st the practice would close its doors.  Bailey wrote, "The practice is no longer financially viable as a result of the Alberta Government cuts to Rural Family Practice and the associated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic."

The Alberta NDP caucus cited the closure in a media release saying that Premier Jason Kenney's rural health crisis was hitting the 20th community in Alberta.  The NDP release says the Crossfield practice's closure follows practice closures or mass hospital resignations in Sundre, Canmore, Cochrane, Okotoks, Rimbey, Bragg Creek, and 13 other locations in the province.

The NDP also says that Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro continues in his attempt to blame the crisis that he has created in health care on the Alberta Medical Association (AMA).  The party says Shandro has raised the possibility of breaking up the AMA after more than a century.  Shandro said in the Alberta Legislature this week, "In the coming weeks I’ll be reviewing whether there are alternate ways to negotiate with physicians, and I welcome feedback from physicians directly on this topic,” 

Dave Hanson, the UCP MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul, read a prepared statement in the house the following day that included, “There is a reason we have separate urban and rural municipality associations in this province. Perhaps it’s time to address this with physicians as well.” 

David Shepherd, the NDP's Critic for Health, has received correspondence from doctors over the past few days that shows overwhelming support for the AMA . 

As for Dr. Bailey and Crossfield Family Practice, his letter goes on to say that he'll continue to work in the Didsbury Hospital in the Emergency Department and will do Locum work while he looks for an alternative place to continue practicing

He says the location may ultimately be in Calgary, given the changes in Rural Family Practice funding.

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com