NOVEMBER 18, 2020
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Town Council Shows its Support for Local Healthcare Professionals Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Several members of town council met with staff from the Vegreville Family Clinic during a special luncheon on Nov. 6. They discussed some of the challenges they’re facing in the community during their meeting. Coun. Ann Waters, Chair of the Vegreville and Rural Physician and Health Professionals Attraction and Retention Committee, (VRPHPARC) said physicians have a very heavy workload. “A couple of words really does go a long way,” stated Waters, who encourages residents to show their appreciation to health care professionals in the community. “If you happen to see a physician, clinical staff, anybody from the clinic or hospital or any health care professional, just say thanks.” An advertising campaign to show their support for health care professionals is being rolled out with the Vegreville News Advertiser and Country 106.5 radio station. Posts will appear on the town’s social media platforms, noted Waters. “We are also working on ideas for retention. It’s just as important, if not, maybe more important than recruitment at this time. We do want our doctors to feel appreciated,” added Waters. Back on Oct. 26 Waters reported the clinic was very busy. “The doctors, the staff are becoming overwhelmed. There’s a lot of walk-ins happening and the shortage of doctors of course.” Dr. Strydom, who owns and operates the clinic, said there are long waiting times due to restrictions from COVID-19. He recommends people call to book an appointment rather than just come to the clinic as they keep the main door locked and only let in people with appointments. “Same day or even same week appointments with your family doctor are not usually available. Planning ahead will help avoid interruption in your medication,” stated Dr. Strydom. He recommends that when people see there are no refills remaining on their prescription to call to book an appointment and not wait until they’ve taken their last pill.
As far as good news, Waters shared that Dr. Siddiqui has been placed on his three-month clinical assessment in Stettler and is expected to arrive in Vegreville in midFebruary. That leaves one more vacancy for a physician. Currently, there are five vacancies for health care aides in Vegreville and they are in discussions to get the health care aide program back up and running. To that end, Waters and Mayor MacPhee recently met with MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk and the President of Lakeland College to discuss the possibility of doing that. MacPhee said, “The conversation is very preliminary at this time. We have not worked with Lakeland College in the past so we set up a committee to find out if we could find enough students to put this class on. It may lead to something down the road.”
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