Opinion: We are Edmonton pediatric emergency doctors — and we need your help

We are your pediatric emergency physicians in Edmonton.

We are trained to make split-second, life-and-death decisions. “Not breathing? I know what to do.” We are experienced at managing ultra-high stakes, complex situations. “A baby is having a seizure? I can handle that.” We are skilled at de-escalating and prioritizing chaotic resuscitation events. “STARS is flying in a teen who is unconscious with a severe head injury? We’ve got this.”

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It takes a lot to surprise or frighten us. But right now, we are very scared.

“Hey Doc, do you know how long we’ve been waiting?” Truth is, we know exactly how long you’ve been waiting, how long everyone has been waiting, and it weighs us down while we do our best to patch up the holes in our health-care system. Our health-care system is failing and the emergency department (ED) is the canary in the coal mine.

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We’ve done our best to respond, but the strain is showing. The ED has become the default option for families when a family doctor isn’t available, when specialists are backed up for months, or when mental health care is out of reach. We’ve even tried recruiting additional pediatric emergency physicians and adding extra shifts to manage demand, but it’s been nearly impossible to attract qualified doctors. Each factor compounds the problem. And with every added strain, everyone waits a little longer.

We hear you. We know that families are frustrated with their health-care experiences. We are frustrated too. The decisions that brought us here weren’t made in the ED — they were made in government offices. And the people who made those decisions answer to you. The power to restore Alberta’s health-care system lies with those in government.

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It’s up to all of us to hold them accountable for ensuring timely, accessible, and effective care. What’s needed are substantive changes — investments that expand capacity, attract and retain skilled professionals, and provide the resources needed to deliver the care Alberta’s children and families deserve.

Without substantial investment in children’s health care, the gaps will widen, leaving families to bear the consequences. We believe that Alberta’s children and families deserve better. Your government must commit to providing targeted funding to support pediatric care at all levels. This includes emergency care, access to specialist services, access to mental-health supports and access and support for community-based care.

The current dysfunction in our health-care system is the consequence of chronic underfunding and constantly pushing for doing more with less.

Please reach out to your MLA:

• Ask them what they are doing to ensure your access to primary care, to increase hospital
  capacity and to decrease emergency wait times;
•  Urge them to set a date: When will they start building the long-promised children’s hospital
  in Edmonton?
• Tell them about the time you waited in the emergency department with your sick child.

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Hold them accountable for the quality of the health-care services you receive, since they make the decisions on resource allocation. Health care is not a luxury — it’s a right. Your voice can ensure that right is protected. Demand the care that your family deserves. We are your pediatric emergency physicians. We are your safety net. And we need your help.

Dr. Samina Ali; Dr. Dominic Allain; Dr. Brittany Boorman; Dr. Eddie Chang; Dr. Sarah Curtis; Dr. Craig Domke; Dr. Andrea Estey; Dr. Mark Enarson; Dr. Lisa Evered; Dr. Martin Gauthier; Dr. Nick Giffin; Dr. Stevi Golden-Plotnik; Dr. Robyn Hutchings; Dr. Farouk Jiwani; Dr. Sarah Johnson; Dr. Hsing Jou; Dr. Janeva Kircher; Dr. Tricia Kutnikoff; Dr. William MacDougall; Dr. Shona MacLachlan; Dr. Shazma Mithani; Dr. Aaron Moodley; Dr. Maria Oliva; Dr. Amaly Rahman; Dr. Stefan Slomp; Dr. Katherine Smith; Dr. Brandy Stauffer; Dr. Daina Thomas and Dr. Mary Tong

Letters welcome

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