“Growing Alberta’s physician numbers remains a top priority for our government, and I’m very pleased that the latest quarterly statistics from the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta show promising progress.
“At the end of September, there were 12,126 physicians registered in Alberta, an increase of 518 physicians, or 4.5 per cent, compared with the same time last year, with the greatest increase occurring in the Calgary area. We’ve also seen a net increase of 370 physicians since the end of the second quarter.
“The data also reveals an almost five per cent increase in the number of family physicians over the same period last year, which is wonderful news for Albertans.
“These record numbers reflect that there are more doctors registered in Alberta today than at any other time in the province’s history. The province has also seen its most significant third-quarter growth rate since before 2015. This demonstrates that our efforts to attract and retain physicians are paying off, but we recognize there is more to be done. We are committed to building on this momentum by strengthening primary health care, enhancing physician education and training, and advancing our Health Workforce Strategy to address physician supply challenges.
“I want to thank physicians across Alberta for their expertise, dedication to providing exceptional care, and for the vital role they play in our health care system.”