Healthcare Policy Framework
- Franco-German emergency medical model with physician response
- Salaried physician compensation system
- Centralized radiology and specialist referrals
- Universal pharmacare and fully public hospitals
The NPA's healthcare platform addresses systemic challenges through structural reforms that improve access, efficiency, and outcomes across Alberta's public health system. These seven policy priorities represent a comprehensive approach to healthcare modernization.
Policy Priorities
| Initiative | Objective |
|---|---|
| Franco-German EMS Model | On-scene physician treatment before hospital transport |
| Salaried Physicians | Stable compensation enabling patient-focused practice |
| Centralized Radiology | Province-wide digital imaging interpretation |
| Dispatch Modernization | Technology-enhanced ambulance coordination |
| Specialist Referral System | Unified queuing for cardiology and orthopaedics |
| Universal Pharmacare | Free prescription medications for all Albertans |
| Public Hospital Ownership | Government operation of all hospital facilities |
Franco-German Emergency Medical System
The NPA supports adopting the Franco-German "stay and stabilize" approach to emergency medicine, which prioritizes on-scene treatment over rapid transport:
- Physician Response: Emergency physicians deployed directly to critical incidents
- Field Stabilization: Advanced medical interventions performed at the scene
- Improved Outcomes: Patient stabilization before transport reduces mortality
- Resource Optimization: Fewer unstable patients arriving at emergency departments
Physician Compensation Reform
Transitioning all physicians to salaried compensation eliminates fee-for-service incentives that can conflict with optimal patient care. Salaried physicians maintain clinical autonomy while receiving stable income, manageable workloads, and administrative support.
Centralized Diagnostic Services
Provincial radiology centralization enables remote interpretation of imaging studies, providing rural communities with specialist-level diagnostic services while optimizing radiologist utilization across the system.
Specialist Access Reform
Centralized referral systems for cardiology and orthopaedics create unified patient queues. Patients receive the first available specialist rather than waiting for specific practitioners, reducing wait times while ensuring equitable access regardless of geography.
Universal Pharmacare
Free prescription medications improve medication adherence, prevent disease progression, and reduce expensive emergency interventionsāgenerating system-wide cost savings while improving population health outcomes.
Public Hospital System
The NPA supports full public ownership and operation of all Alberta hospitals, ensuring healthcare resources serve patient needs rather than generating shareholder returns.