A community citizen-based group called 'Stettler Needs Doctors' committee is planning a Town Hall Meeting this Thursday, July 25th, 6:00 pm at The Stettler Recreation Centre.
The group is dedicated to voicing the concerns of the community and fighting to recruit and retain doctors.
Leona Thorogood, Treasurer and Media Relations for Stettler Needs Doctors explains why a group like this is needed.
"One is to bring attentions to the fact that we are in crisis mode here in Stettler. There's a number of times that our ER has been closed and so people have to go elsewhere. We're also a major hub for child delivery in Stettler and area. Lot's of these cases are now being diverted to other centres. That's not a good thing for a young Mom."
Currently there are 6 doctors in the area, Thorogood says many more are needed.
"Alberta Health Services has actually determined that we need 16 for our service area and for our trading area. We go from Stettler east to the border. You have to remember that not only is our trading population 35,000, but in the summer time we get Old McDonald's (farm), the train and all kinds of other tourist attractions. Another 15 to 20,000 people can be here on any one weekend. So that's a fairly major population that our healthcare services have to service."
There will be many topics discussed at Thursday's meeting. Both the Town of Stettler and County of Stettler will unveil what they are going to do in order to hopefully attract more doctors.
Confirmed presenters so far are:
- Larry Clark, Reeve of the county of Stettler
- Sean Nolls, Mayor of the Town of Stettler
- Stettler Needs Doctors committee members
Invited presenters (not confirmed) include:
- College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
- Alberta Health Representatives
- Alberta Health Services – Medical Affairs, Central Zone Recruiting, Central Zone Medical Director
- Nate Horner – MLA for Drumheller Stettler
- Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange
- Premier Danielle Smith
- MP Damien Kurek for Battle River Crowfoot Association
For further information, or to confirm attendance please contact Leona Thorogood at stettlerneedsdoctors@gmail.com