Alberta’s government will invest $200 million to expand post-secondary health care programs through Budget 2023.
This includes $72 million over three years to create more than 3,400 new seats in post-secondary health care programs. A total of $113 million will go towards adding 100 residency training spaces for doctors who have recently graduated, particularly in rural areas and specialist fields.
“Through the Health Workforce Strategy and the many other actions we’re taking, Alberta will build a strong, resilient and sustainable health workforce where its workers are supported to succeed as they provide expert care to improve the lives of Albertans,” said Minister of Health Jason Copping.
The Health Workforce Strategy lays the foundation for a resilient and sustainable health care system that provides Albertans with access to a health home – along with the workforce to deliver health services they need today.
The announcement, made on Monday, March 13, 2023 is just part of that strategy and efforts to address health care challenges through Budget 2023.
Other investments include:
- Investing $30 million in health care program expansion to create about 1,800 new seats over the next three years in nursing, health care aide and paramedicine programs.
- Investing almost $20 million to create 120 new physician seats at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta.
- Funding will also help increase the number of rural physicians in Alberta in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
- Investing $113 million over three years for medical residency positions to add 100 residency training spaces and fund compensation for academic physicians instructing medical students.
- Investing $22 million to upskill internationally educated nurses by creating new bridging programs and expanding seats at existing bridging programs to add 1,500 new spaces.
- Investing $14 million over two years for the targeted recruitment of internationally trained nurses from the United States and the United Kingdom.
“This investment in our medical schools is a direct investment in the health of Albertans,” said Dr. Brenda Hemmelgarn, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta.
“These dollars will train new physicians, increase opportunities for medical residents and support those who train them, ensuring world-class care in every corner of the province.”
When it comes to the health care seat expansion, publicly funded post-secondary institutions will be invited to submit proposals in health-related programs. Programs could include registered nurses, health care aides, licensed practical nurses, nursing coordinators and supervisors, paramedical occupations and other medical technologists and technicians.
It is expected the number of physician seats available will increase by 58 per cent over 10 years, with more than $2 million in investments already made at the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary.
The physician training expansion investment, meanwhile, is part of the Academic Medicine and Health Services Program, which ensures physicians affiliated with Alberta’s faculties of medicine are fairly compensated for providing patient care along with work related to research, innovation, education, administration, and leadership.
Once the seat expansion is fully realized, Alberta will licence more than 100 additional physicians annually who will be ready to practise.
These investments build on last year’s targeted enrolment expansion, which added 2,500 new seats in health-related programs.
View the full press release on the Government of Alberta website.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.