Alberta Health provides update on new regional advisory councils

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on July 23, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Adriana LaGrange provided further insight into the function of the new regional advisory health councils and their role in tailoring care to community.

These 14 councils consist of elected officials, community leaders, healthcare officials and Albertans from all walks of life, said LaGrange during a media roundtable Tuesday, ensuring that each council has representation for the diverse care needs of the communities within their region.

“There are 14 councils bringing together about 150 members from 71 communities, people who know their areas inside and out,” said LaGrange. “What they all have in common is the commitment to helping the system work better by listening to their communities, identifying priorities and offering solutions grounded in local realities.”

In the weeks to come, these newly created councils will begin engaging in their communities with residents, providers and organizations, to learn what is working and what is not. From there, they will be able to take their findings and suggestions directly to government.

LaGrange says these councils will have significant power, as they will be able to better inform on what is happening within their communities, and ensure that people who are living in the region and relying on the services there will have their voices heard.

“They’ll play an essential role, an important role in rural and remote communities, where the needs are often different and the gaps are more visible,” said LaGrange.

In addition to these councils, recent initiatives in the Rural and Remote Family Medicine Resident Physician Bursary pilot program and the Rural Team Recruitment Grant represent $22 million in support to help increase access to primary care in rural and remote communities.

These initiatives support medical residents to complete their training in exchange for a commitment to service where physicians are most needed in rural and remote communities, and helping 29 primary care clinics across the province expand their care teams, respectively.

“These efforts reflect our commitment to building a healthcare system that is more responsive, more community driven and more inclusive of local priorities, because the truth is, healthcare looks different in every corner of this province, and a one size fits all approach just doesn’t work,” said LaGrange. “By listening to Albertans and acting on their advice, we can deliver care that meets people where they’re at and ensure every Albertan has access to timely care when and where they need it.”

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