Choosing the right approach

Alberta is refocusing the health care system to put the patient first in every health care decision and give experts the right space to ensure Albertans are getting the world-class health care they need and deserve.

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Primary Care Alberta

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Acute Care Alberta

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Continuing Care provincial health agency

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Recovery Alberta

Refocusing groundwork

The following activities laid the groundwork for the best path to achieve our goal of improving access to health care.

Similar themes and recommendations emerged from these activities allowing us to establish a new model guided by the following health agencies:

Engagement timeline

  • Transition and engagement continue – Winter 2024 to Spring 2025
    • A second round of in-person public engagement is planned for winter/spring 2025 to share information and receive feedback about the refocusing work.
    • Regional and Indigenous advisory councils will be appointed and begin operations.
    • Primary Care Alberta will become fully operational in early 2025.
    • Acute Care Alberta will be established as a legal entity in early 2025 and will become fully operational in spring 2025.
    • Steps will be taken toward naming and establishing a continuing care provincial health agency.
    • The remaining steps to ensure a successful transition will be finalized and communicated.
  • Transition and engagement – Summer/Fall 2024
    • Engagement with Albertans, health care professionals and a wide range of health partners across the province continued.
    • The “What We Heard” report was released, summarizing the comprehensive feedback and ideas from over 30,000 patients, families, caregivers, and health care workers from across Alberta.
    • The Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence (CoRE) was established and became operational in June 2024.
    • Recovery Alberta was established and became operational in September 2024.
  • Introduction and engagement – Winter 2023 to Spring 2024
    • The health care refocusing plan is introduced to Albertans and front-line health care workers.
    • A new Alberta Health Services board is appointed.
    • Engagement sessions with AHS staff, health care unions, health associations and a wide range of health partners across the province began.
    • Comprehensive public engagement including in-person, French-language and Indigenous sessions, online feedback forms, telephone town halls, and a question and answer tool.
    • Recruitment opened for new regional and Indigenous advisory councils.

Guiding principles

A single functioning health care system
With specialized areas that focus on delivering the best care that is important to a high functioning system.

Improve patient outcomes
Refocus the health care system so Albertans can get the right care when and where they need it.

Ensure a seamless patient journey
Strong integration and collaboration across all organizations to support appropriate transitions of care and prevent silos.

Support the workforce
Prioritize the wellbeing and leverage the experience of health care workers.

Enhance frontline and local autonomy
Support local decision-making and regional advice.

Transparent communication
Communicate frequently and clearly.

Remain committed, but flexible
Monitor and evaluate the progress of the change and support change when it might be required.