Friends of Medicare said they have obtained a document from Alberta Health Services that outlines a plan to close some health centres and long term care facilities across the province.

The group said the document was a medical staff newsletter from Alberta Health Services dated back to March 31st of this year, and outlines the intention to close health centres and long term care facilities, and the re-assignment of hospitals to urgent care centres.

According to the memo, the following facilities would be closed or downgraded:

  •  Hospitals in Rimbey, Ponoka, Lacombe, Innisfail, Castor, Coronation, Consort, Sundre, Three Hills, and Hanna would be downgraded to urgent care centres.
  •  Long term care centres at Bentley, Trochu, and Breton will be closed.
  •  Health centres in Trochu and Castor would be closed.

Ken Collier, chair of the Friends of Medicare Board, said residents in the area have been asking the government about the future of certain health facilities for months.

"The government owes these affected areas a clear explanation as to what is happening," said Collier.

According to a provincial review commissioned by Alberta Health and Wellness, the merging of services in rural areas would be pursued, but very little information has been given as to how these mergers might take place.

"Certainly, there must be similar plans in place for other regions in the province. Albertans want to see the plan for the health facility that serves their community," said David Eggen, executive director for Friends of Medicare.

Eggen said no one wants to suddenly discover their hospital is scheduled for closure.

Friends of Medicare also said they have learned that Alberta Health Services will be announcing significant budget cuts in July.

Health Minister Ron Liepert initially tried to discredit the document, but later said that changes are being considered across Alberta to reduce health costs and make the system more efficient.

"Before there is any change to the facilities in these communities, the community will be consulted and it will be discussed," he said.

Liepert said Alberta Health Services has already started to look at the system and officials are set to  visit the communities throughout the province this summer. 

He said no final decisions about any health facilities have been made and that the Friends of Medicare were fear-mongering.

On Wednesday, the United Nurses of Alberta said more health cuts could be in the future for our province.

Surgeons at the Royal Alexandra Hospital were directed by Alberta Health Services to postpone non-urgent procedures by 15 per cent as of Tuesday. And the United Nurses of Alberta thinks the cuts won't stop there.

"I don't think this is limited to the the Royal Alexandra, I wouldn't be surprised if it was extended provincewide," said Heather Smith with the United Nurses of Alberta.

But that prediction was disputed by Alberta Health Services spokesperson Rob Stevenson.

"There doesn't seem to be any indication this will move to another facility," he said.

A heated debate broke out at the Legislative Assembly Wednesday where Alberta's Health Minister, Ron Liepert, answered some tough questions.

"Why have you again failed Albertans leaving them to wait in pain and darkness because you have cancelled their surgeries?" NDP Leader Brian Mason asked Liepert.

Liepert responded by stating," for the first time in many years we are going to live in within a budget and that's what Alberta (Health) Services is going to do," he said.

Certain surgeries, such as hips, knees and cataract procedures, will now be postponed at the Royal Alexandra Hospital after Alberta Health Services ordered the cut Tuesday. 

With files from the Canadian Press