Drayton Valley is once again going to be down to two doctor’s clinics by June 30.
After nearly forty years, the Malone clinic will be closing its doors, though the IDA Pharmacy will still remain open.
Pat Jeffery, the chair of the Pembina Physicians Recruitment and Retention Committee, says the committee is concerned about the future of healthcare in the community.
“Dismayed would be the word that comes to mind,” says Jeffery
Though two new physicians have recently started in the community, this closure will mean the loss of five physicians. Jeffery says Alberta Health Services is advertising three job postings for the community, which won’t quite fill the gap.
She says the committee knew about the retirement of Dr. Roz Beacom and Dr. Mike Peyton, but they hadn’t anticipated that Dr. Afe Okafor would be moving her practice to Edmonton. They were also unaware that Dr. Raf Ali and Dr. Amni Ali would be retiring from their practice as well.
Jeffery says AHS doesn’t play a role in deciding the placement of any new physicians in the community. So it’s not certain if they will be placed at the Claro Clinic or the Shale Clinic. And that’s assuming either of the clinics has the physical space for more doctors
The Malone building will remain in place, and Jeffery says there’s a possibility that other physicians will come in and open another clinic.
While the community is down those physicians, Mina Bolos, the owner of the IDA Malone Pharmacy, says he may be able to help out a little bit.
“I am a prescribing pharmacist,” he says. “I think the community around needs somebody to help with some of the minor ailments.
Bolos says he’s also the only diabetic educator in town. “I have the licensing for that,” he says.
Anyone who needs help learning about insulin, the medication, and how to use the injections can talk to Bolos.
The Drayton Valley Free Press was unable to make contact with Dr. Beacom or Dr. Peyton by the deadline for this article
