What Matters to You – Refocusing Healthcare

While I spent some time working outdoors one evening this week on my rural property, I noticed one of two things: either the cool November air I felt, finally ushering in the Christmas season or it might have been the winds of change.

Change is healthy. Not all change is necessary (some definitely are). Change is always a bit scary. Often, we’re better for it.

Big healthcare change in plans: entirely for the Albertans’ benefit

This week, the Alberta government announced big plans. We’re moving forward on steps to refocus Alberta’s health care system. There has been some progress on this front via the government’s Health Care Action Plan throughout the past year, but we’re not quite there yet folks. More work needs to be done to ensure better outcomes for Albertans on the healthcare front.

For example, if you’ve spoken to a local nurse lately, you’ll know this is indeed the case. I can’t remember the last time I talked to a healthcare worker who wasn’t burnt out by the system. It’s not their fault. They do what they can with what they have. I hear about this often in the Lac Ste. Anne – Parkland area.

The reality is I, and many of the folks in Alberta’s government, have heard loud and clear from Albertans, time and time again, that the current system centred on AHS is just not working. Albertans are facing long wait times, and delays to the care they desperately need, and AHS has moved far beyond its original acute care mandate, trying to shoulder a burden it was never intended to carry in the first place.
Healthcare outcomes haven’t been good, even though Alberta’s spending on healthcare per capita is in line with other provinces. This is especially challenging in rural and Indigenous communities like the ones in my area.

It’s a long over time to refocus AHS so Albertans can get the right healthcare services whenever and wherever they need them.

Working hard, focusing on local solutions and building results with YOU!

It will be a made-in-Alberta system that keeps the best parts of a large, single provider while also emphasizing areas of importance, where regional advisory boards will have more input and control. Albertans will have a system that works for them, prioritizing their needs to find a primary care provider, get urgent care without long waits, and access the best continuing care options and supports.
Healthcare workers will be consulted every step of the way throughout this process. Their experience and expertise will help shape Alberta’s refocused system and ensure doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers have more input to help drive innovation at a local level. The government is also working to ensure patients have a voice at the table. More information about public engagements will be provided as it becomes available.

Change is often scary, but the fact is all Albertans will continue to have access to the health care services as they do now throughout this refocusing process. Folks can continue to go to their regular healthcare providers for checkups or general health concerns and hospitals for urgent and emergency care. Mental health and addiction treatment and recovery services will continue to be available. Continuing care or home care will still be available to you or your loved ones.

The work ahead will take time, and I know frontline healthcare workers will continue to provide exceptional care to patients and families throughout this effort.

The government is inviting all Albertans to become involved in shaping the province’s health care system. We want to hear from all of you (yes, you included). We need input from patients, family members, caregivers and seniors who interact with the system. We need to hear from frontline workers to partner to learn and find new ways to support healthcare workers through their daily obstacles.

There’s a lot of work to be done. I know we need more doctors, nurses, paramedics, and healthcare workers. Alberta’s government will continue to grow the healthcare workforce. I can tell you that every frontline job will be protected during this transition.
Refocusing Alberta’s healthcare system will mean Albertans have healthcare that works for them. Care that prioritizes their needs, without long wait times, and improves access to the best options for services Alberta has to offer.

I encourage all Albertans to participate in this effort. Input is vital for helping the government work toward a better healthcare system.

Public engagement session dates will be regularly updated on the www.alberta.ca/refocusing-health-care-in-alberta webpage.

Sincerely,

Shane Getson