(Government of Alberta)

By rdnewsNOW staff

HEALTH CARE

New AHS board to refocus on acute care delivery

Nov 8, 2023 | 10:38 AM

EDMONTON, AB – Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange has appointed a new Alberta Health Services board as the agency transitions to a focus on acute care for its renewed purpose in the redesigned provincial health care structure.

Government officials say the seven-member board will support the transition of AHS into a health care organization with a focus on delivering high-quality acute care services within a reorganized single provincial health care system.

This includes hospital care, urgent care centres, cancer care, clinical operations, surgeries and emergency medical services.

As part of its renewed mandate, AHS says it will continue its work to improve wait times for surgeries and wait times in emergency rooms and to shorten response times for emergency medical services.

“I look forward to working with the new AHS board members who will bring expertise and fresh perspective to the table as we work towards a structure that supports the health workforce and improves access to care,” said Adriana LaGrange, minister of health.

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“Alberta Health Services will continue to have a key role in delivering acute care services, with a renewed patient emphasis on shorter wait times and higher quality of care.”

Dr. Lyle Oberg, who served as MLA for Brooks-Strathmore from 1993 to 2008, has been appointed as the board’s chair.

“I’m honoured to serve Albertans and take part in building a strong provincial health care system that works for Albertans and health care workers and supports their needs,” Oberg said in a statement.

“I experienced first-hand the imbalances between access to care in rural and urban communities during my practice as a physician. I am committed to steering Alberta Health Services towards providing high-quality acute care services across the province.”

Alberta’s government says it will continue to grow the health care workforce, and protecting AHS front-line jobs are expected to be a priority during this transition.

The government says health care workers will be part of organizations dedicated to one sector and will have their leaders’ undivided attention. This is anticipated to empower front-line workers and drive innovation at the local level.

Officials say the longer-term governance of a refocused AHS will be determined in coordination with its new acute care focus.

The new AHS board members include:

• Dr. Lyle Oberg
• Sandy Edmonstone
• Paul George Haggis
• Andre Tremblay
• Evan Romanow
• Cynthia Farmer
• Additional member to be named

“I’m honoured to take part in the urgent and necessary efforts to strengthen the health care system,” Edmonstone said.

“I’m pleased to lend my expertise and work with my fellow board members to ensure Albertans have access to world-class care and outcomes now and into the future.”

The government says Dr. John Cowell’s role as AHS administrator ends with the creation of the new AHS board. He is expected to support the board as an adviser until December.