Central Alberta residents will have an opportunity to share their thoughts on Alberta’s healthcare system during upcoming engagement sessions. This session is part of the Alberta government’s second round of public engagement efforts aimed at refocusing the province’s health care system.
The initiative, announced in November 2023, seeks to strengthen services, empower local decision-making, enhance support for front-line workers, and improve health outcomes for Albertans.
The engagement builds on the first round of sessions held between January and April 2024, which included 65 in-person events across the province. Feedback from these sessions, summarized in the What We Heard report, has shaped the government’s redesign efforts. More than 28,000 Albertans participated in the initial phase through in-person sessions, online tools, and virtual town halls, with additional consultations held with Indigenous communities, the francophone community, and other health partners.
Health Minister Adriana LaGrange emphasized the importance of continuing these conversations. “From the very start, we have been committed to building a health care system that works for every Albertan. By continuing the conversation, we are ensuring that their experiences, perspectives, and expertise are reflected in our decision-making,” LaGrange said.
The upcoming sessions will provide updates on the government’s refocusing efforts while gathering additional feedback on access to care, workforce challenges, and opportunities for local decision-making. Albertans can find the full schedule and register for sessions online at alberta.ca.
Since the first round of engagements, the government has launched several new health agencies, including Recovery Alberta and Primary Care Alberta, and announced Acute Care Alberta. Legislative changes have also been implemented to support the transition, and work continues on establishing an assisted living health agency and regional advisory councils.
Leadership changes have accompanied these structural shifts. Dr. Chris Eagle, former president and CEO of Alberta Health Services (AHS), will serve as interim president and CEO of Acute Care Alberta starting Feb. 1. Andre Tremblay, deputy minister of Alberta Health, will take on the role of interim president and CEO of AHS to oversee its transition to a hospital-based service provider.
However, these changes have drawn criticism from Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, who described the government’s approach as disruptive and chaotic.
“This is now the fourth CEO and the fourth Board Chair the UCP has gone through since 2021. Alberta now has six health care organizations, each with their own management layer, and the UCP still cannot get it right,” Nenshi said, adding that emergency room closures and a shortage of family doctors remain ongoing issues.
Despite the criticism, the government has reiterated its commitment to public engagement as a key driver for improvements in the health care system.
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