Recovery Alberta will be fully operational as of Sunday, September 1, 2024. (File photo: Government of Alberta)

By Eli J. Ridder, David Opinko

New mental health agency to kick off Alberta health care restructuring

Aug 30, 2024 | 3:33 PM

The provincial government’s health care revamp will kick off with the launch of its new mental health and addictions agency — known as Recovery Alberta — on Sunday.

The ruling United Conservatives, who revealed the restructuring effort last November, say breaking up Alberta Health Services into four focused agencies will allow for improved patient care.

Critics say the split breaks up the system into individual silos that will fragment care teams.

Addictions and mental health minister Dan Williams said Friday it is an exciting time for health care.

“This summer, I had the chance to hear from many front-line staff about the work being done to improve patient care by prioritizing mental health and addiction services,” Williams said in a statement.

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“Together, we have an opportunity to make meaningful and lasting changes to improve the wellness of Albertans, and through Recovery Alberta, we will make it happen.”

Recovery Alberta will have more than 10,000 staff members who will operate and manage contracts for 1,650 psychiatric beds; 1,350 addiction detox and treatment beds; and health services for more than 4,800 people in provincial correctional facilities.

The province says in a news release that the delivery of mental health and addiction services has typically been an afterthought within the broader healthcare system.

By having a dedicated agency, the government claims that it will allow for strategic planning and resource allocation to better meet the needs of Albertans.

Back in May 2024, the province introduced legislation to break up AHS into four separate agencies, which would be focused on primary care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health and addictions.

Recovery Alberta will be the first one to be in full operation.

The province has been working with the senior management at AHS and Recovery Alberta to ensure a smooth transition of services.

The 2024 budget allocates more than $1.13 billion to mental health and addiction services in Alberta.