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The Alberta health care system is being restructured. (CHAT News)

Alberta holding in-person town halls on health care system revamp in January

Dec 12, 2023 | 5:04 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Alberta’s government is hitting the road come January to gather in-person feedback on its restructuring of the health care system.

It’s part of the United Conserative government’s promise to consult with the workforce and Albertans after it revealed the revamp in November.

Up to 30 in-person engagement sessions will be hosted across Alberta beginning in the new year.

The government is asking Albertans to recommend locations for the sessions through an online form available until Dec. 19 on Alberta.ca.

“Engaging with health care professionals, patients and all Albertans is a vital pillar in our government’s effort to refocus the health care system,” minister of health Adriana LaGrange.

“The input, experiences and feedback we gather will help create a more effective and efficient health care system that is accessible to all Albertans in every corner of the province,” LaGrange added.

“You deserve health care that supports you and your family now and for generations to come.”

Five virtual town halls for have already been held for a mix of Alberta Health Services staff, mental health and addiction-focused staff and community partners.

Further engagement plans will be announced in January, including dedicated Indigenous engagement and an online platform to interact with government directly, the government said.

The current version of AHS is being scrapped as the province transitions to a single provincial health system model split into four high-level units, the Alberta government revealed Nov. 8.

Alberta’s health system will be managed by primary care, acute care, continuing care and mental health agencies – all provincial bodies working together for an integrated approach, the government said.

The New Democratic opposition said after the announcement that improving the health care system should come through investment in the front lines.

“Danielle Smith’s plan to concentrate more power over health care in the premier’s office is going to cause chaos in our clinics and hospitals,” NDP MLA David Shepherd said Nov. 8 in reference to Alberta’s premier.