EDMONTON — The Alberta government is introducing legislation to create a completely reimagined health care system.
A bill proposed Tuesday outlines how many branches of Alberta Health Services would be dismantled and how four new provincial health agencies would be combined under Health Minister Adriana Lagrange. .
The current provincial health authority, Alberta Health Services, which oversees the delivery of everything from community care to acute care, will be limited to hospital care later this year.
This is part of a multi-year transition estimated to cost $85 million. If passed, the bill will go into effect in June.
Under the new structure, Mr. Lagrange will set the agenda and oversee the entire system, from budgets to staffing.
“We are ready for an era of efficiency, accessibility, and patient-centered care,” she said before introducing the bill to Congress.
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Dan Williams will lead the first agency, Recovery Alberta, which is expected to launch this summer.
In the fall, acute care, primary care, and continuing care organizations will each have their own CEOs. The bill would mean Mr. LaGrange would be in charge of each of these three of his departments, as well as in a dual role overseeing all four new agencies.
Lagrange said the move is aimed at streamlining operations, improving accountability and better supporting front-line workers.
Approximately 10,000 staff members will be affected by the transition to Recovery Alberta.
For now, Alberta Health Services will continue to handle public health functions, including restaurant inspections. The bill does not specify which agency would take over these tasks.
Lagrange said the position of chief medical officer of health remains under her ministry.
One procurement office is expected to handle purchasing for the entire province, a feature long touted as a reason for Alberta Health Services.
Opposition health critic Luann Metz said the government's plan would put more control in the hands of Premier Daniel Smith's office and would not improve outcomes for patients or support staff.
“This Frankenstein bill will continue to dismantle Alberta Health Services, forcing patients and providers into inefficient silos,” Metz said.
Mr Lagrange promised there would be no job losses for staff transitioning to the new structure and said “every effort” was being made to avoid disruption to patient care.
The existing bargaining unit will remain in place, but the first step in the reorganization has drawn criticism from medical unions, which are already in the midst of collective bargaining.
The United Nurses of Alberta and Alberta Health Services are currently suing the Labor Relations Board over complaints from nurses about plans to transfer staff to Recovery Alberta.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2024.
Lisa Johnson, Canadian Press
