Acute Care Alberta, the third of four new health agencies, is coming early in 2025

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on November 19, 2024.

The Government of Alberta has provided an update on work being done on the continued restructuring of the provincial health-care system, and the newest agency is expected to form early in the new year.

Significant changes have been made since the initial announcement that took place approximately a year ago, with two of the four provincial health agencies, Recovery Alberta and Primary Care Alberta, now established. The province says more than 30,000 health-care professionals and Albertans provided input for the new model.

“Refocusing the health-care system is a complex process that needs to be done right,” says Health Minister Adriana LaGrange. “We’re committed to taking the time necessary to develop a better health-care system for Albertans and the frontline workers who work tirelessly every day to serve their patients.”

The next stage of this process, Acute Care Alberta, will become a legal entity in early 2025, with plans to begin operating in the spring. This sector will include hospitals, emergency services and surgery care, and is focused on “providing critical care to Albertans when they need it most,” the province says.

“The new acute care provincial health agency will work directly with service providers to speed up access to high-quality care, reduce wait times and ensure a patient’s journey through the acute care system is efficient and effective.”

An Acute Care Provincial Health Agency Executive Transition Team has been established, which includes executive members from Alberta Health and an external special adviser, Dr. Chris Eagle. The province say the team’s purpose is to minimize disruptions to care accessibility during the change.

Albertans will have an opportunity to participate in upcoming telephone town halls with LaGrange on Nov. 19, Nov. 27 and Nov. 28. Those interested can find further details and register to participate online.

In addition to telephone town halls, Albertans can provide feedback on the refocused health-care system online until Dec. 5.