The province has announced it is set to launch Primary Care Alberta, a new provincial health agency dedicated to overseeing and coordinating primary health care services. The agency will become operational later this fall.
The agency's primary goal is to support integrated teams of family physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists, ensuring comprehensive care for Albertans at every stage of life.
According to the government, establishing Primary Care Alberta is part of a broader initiative to modernize the province’s healthcare system. The initiative focuses on patient-centred care and empowers front-line healthcare professionals.
Health Minister Adriana LaGrange emphasized the significance of this development, stating, "Standing up Primary Care Alberta is an important milestone in refocusing the health care system to put patients first."
Kim Simmonds, the current assistant deputy minister of strategic planning and performance at Alberta Health, has been appointed the agency's chief executive officer. The province noted that Simmonds has experience in both the public and private sectors.
"If primary care is to be the foundation on which the entire health system stands, every Albertan must have an ongoing connection and trusting relationship with a family doctor or health care team," she said.
The agency's formation follows the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Care System (MAPS) initiative, which began in 2022. This initiative aimed to gather input from healthcare providers and stakeholders to develop a strategy for strengthening Alberta's primary healthcare framework.
The final MAPS report recommended creating a unified governance structure to enhance coordination and data sharing among healthcare professionals.
Primary Care Alberta will be one of four sector-based provincial health agencies established under the Provincial Health Agencies Act, transitioning from the previous regional health authority, Alberta Health Services (AHS). These agencies are responsible for delivering integrated health services to ensure all Albertans receive timely care.
Among its long-term priorities, Primary Care Alberta will focus on engaging physicians, incentivizing effective care models, enhancing tools for providers, establishing consistent service standards, and developing chronic disease care models.
While the government has engaged more than 30,000 Albertans through various feedback channels—including public engagement sessions and dedicated discussions with Indigenous and francophone communities—some healthcare professionals have expressed concerns about the implementation timeline and the potential for increased bureaucratic oversight.
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