(Pixabay)

By Justin Goulet

Bill proposed to improve Alberta’s health care system

Jul 6, 2020 | 3:05 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The provincial government has introduced legislation aimed at boosting the public health care system in Alberta.

The province says Bill 30, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, will strengthen the role of citizens in the system, it will help improve surgical wait times and modernize the system so it can be more effective.

“We are ensuring the legislation governing our health system reflects our modern reality, and enables future innovation,” stated Minister of Health Tyler Shandro.

“The proposed amendments will ensure patients’ voices are included in the health care system, help reduce surgical wait times and clarify roles and accountabilities of health system partners.”

Highlights of Bill 30 include:

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· Supporting and strengthening the work of the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA).

o The HQCA will engage patients, families and caregivers on the care and services they receive in community settings beyond hospitals and physician offices, such as pharmacies, and mental health, addiction or rehabilitation facilities.

o More clarity will be provided by having the HQCA report to the Minister of Health. With clearer oversight, the province hopes to boost collaboration and coordination, so all health partners share expertise, knowledge and ideas on how to improve Alberta’s health system, including care in the community.

· Increasing the number of public members on Health Professional Regulatory College councils.

· Streamlining the approval process for chartered surgical facilities to operate, so they can provide more high-quality publicly funded surgeries. This would in turn help reduce surgical wait times without compromising patient safety of quality of care.

o Currently, 43 chartered surgical facilities in the province have contract with Alberta Health Services to provide publicly funded surgeries to patients.

o Proposed amendments will help reduce red tape and “administrative burden”, so current and new chartered facilities can provide more publicly funded surgeries.

o The amendments accomplish this by reducing the up to two-year process for chartered surgical facilities to open in Alberta.

o Proposed changes include using a policy process and ministerial letter, as opposed to a Ministerial Order, to designate and approve of new chartered facilities and contracts.

· Enabling new compensation models.

o Proposed changes will allow government to use contracts, instead of Ministerial Orders, to compensate physicians who sign up to practice in the Alternative Relationship Plan Program.

o Changes will also allow government to contract organizations that are equipped to handle the administrative work of operating medical clinics so physicians can focus on providing quality patient care.

· Clarifying roles and responsibilities of Alberta Health Services (AHS).

o This will clarify that AHS is the single health authority in Alberta, with Covenant Health as a strategic partner and the largest faith-based health-care provider in the province.

o The amendments will:

§ Clarify roles and responsibilities between AHS, third-party providers and Alberta Health.

§ Strengthen accountability measures in the system.

§ Create a strong foundation for implementation of the AHS review recommendations in the months ahead.

· Ensuring that the Hospital Privileges Appeals Board continues to have a strong, qualified group of members t review grievances brought forward by medical staff against hospital boards.

· Clarifying COVID-19 quarantine requirements under the Public Health Act.

o This would clearly articulate that all international travellers must quarantine for 14 days while the related chief medical officer of health orders are in effect.

“We value being officially recognized as Alberta’s one health authority and will continue to work closely with our partners to provide quality health services across the province that meet the needs of patients and families,” stated Dr. Verna Yiu, president and CEO of Alberta Health Services.

The province says Bill 30 would also repeal legislation that no longer applies, since the bills were written when Alberta has multiple health regions.

These include:

· Provincial Health Authorities of Alberta Act:

o Now that Alberta has a unified health system, the province says repealing this act will remove unnecessary legislation.

· Health Governance Transition Act:

o The province says this act served its purpose of transferring responsibilities of three former provincial entities – the Alberta Mental Health Board, Alberta Cancer Board, and Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission – to Alberta Health Services.

The Alberta government noted that some of the amendments will be in force as they are proclaimed, while some others will come into force in the coming months.

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