health

Alberta's dual-practice surgery model renews the wait-time debate

Doctors may work in public hospitals and private paid clinics, a model critics warn could pull capacity from the public system.

The Canadian

Health

September 24, 2026

6 min read

Clinical staff inside a hospital laboratory

Alberta has introduced a dual-practice model that allows surgeons to work in the public system while also performing privately paid procedures. The government presents the approach as another way to increase surgical capacity and reduce long waits.

The policy arrives as patients continue to face years-long delays for some procedures. CBC's reporting follows one Alberta patient who waited nearly three years for a hip replacement before receiving surgery under the new system.

Critics point to evidence from Canada and abroad suggesting dual practice can worsen public wait times if physicians shift scarce hours toward better-paid private work. Supporters argue that additional operating capacity can serve patients who choose to pay without reducing public access.

The outcome will depend on details such as staffing rules, reporting, and whether public hospitals retain enough surgeons, nurses, and operating-room time. Wait-time data will be essential to judging whether the model adds capacity or redistributes it.

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