Alberta’s government is ensuring key health care services are well supported within the new refocused health care system. Significant progress has been made to achieve the goal of providing better care to all Albertans no matter where they live. Three of the four provincial health agencies are now operational: Primary Care Alberta, Acute Care Alberta and Recovery Alberta. Assisted Living Alberta will be operational later this year.
As the work to transition AHS to a hospital-based service provider under the oversight of Acute Care Alberta continues, Alberta’s government is taking additional steps to ensure Alberta’s health care system has the proper oversight in place to support the newly formed integrated system. This includes transferring emergency health services from AHS to Acute Care Alberta and establishing a shared services entity to support provincial health agencies and service providers.
Later this year, Alberta’s government intends to move cancer care and organ and tissue donation and transplantation services out of AHS and under the purview of Acute Care Alberta.
“Integrating cancer care and organ and tissue services under Acute Care Alberta helps ensure Albertans receive the high-quality, coordinated care they deserve – delivered when and where they need it most.”
Creating specialized focus for cancer care and organ and tissue donation and transplantation will ensure the best care in these key areas that are important for a high-functioning health care system.
“I’m pleased to see these next steps moving forward to support efforts to refocus the health care system to better meet the needs of Albertans. Acute Care Alberta will ensure improved and dedicated access to the best health care possible.”
Half of all Albertans will have cancer during their lifetime. Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring the best quality care for those dealing with the disease, and recently invested $800 million over eight years in a cancer innovation value partnership with Siemens Healthineers and the Alberta Cancer Foundation. This investment will help replace and update oncology treatment equipment, leverage artificial intelligence, create two centres of excellence in cancer care and establish a medical research and innovation fund to attract and retain global talent in Alberta.
“This is an exciting opportunity to set a compelling vision for cancer care. We remain committed to working with our partners to accelerate innovation in cancer care to benefit patients and their loved ones.”
Acute Care Alberta will oversee cancer care services in Alberta by enabling Cancer Care Alberta to focus solely on providing timely, cutting-edge treatment and services for those with cancer. Cancer Care Alberta will have enhanced oversight and responsibility for managing its workforce and capital and operational funding related to cancer care. Cancer Care Alberta will also establish a dedicated process to address complaints.
“This underscores the critical importance of cancer care for all Albertans. This approach will enable us to address the issues facing cancer care in Alberta today and grow a best-in-class cancer system that ensures Albertans receive the cancer care they expect and deserve.”
Each year, hundreds of Albertans receive an organ or tissue transplant. A single organ or tissue donor can save or improve the lives of up to 75 people. Having policy and oversight for organ and tissue donation and transplantation under Acute Care Alberta will streamline current processes, allowing for a dedicated plan, program development and vision for these critical life-saving services. Clinical services will remain with AHS.
“We applaud the establishment of an integrated provincial organ and tissue donation and transplantation service. This transformational change will positively impact thousands of Albertans into the future – saving lives and improving quality of life.”
Proposed legislative changes that would support completing the work to refocus the health care system are expected to be tabled this spring.
Throughout the refocusing work, Albertans are accessing health care as they always have and there has been no impact to front-line health care workers and their continued dedication to delivering excellent health care to Albertans.
Related news
- Refocusing emergency services (March 10, 2025)
- Refocusing continuing care for the future (Jan. 30, 2025)
- Refocused health care: Continuing the conversation (Jan. 9, 2025)
- Refocusing acute care leadership for the future (Jan. 8, 2025)