The Alberta government has introduced a new primary care service for residents in the province.
Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange says Primary Care Alberta is the new provincial health agency that will deliver care. It will officially start up later this fall.
According to the provincial government, there will be a transition from Alberta Health Services to four-sector-based provincial health agencies including primary care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health and addiction.
"The new primary care agency will focus on supporting integrated teams of family physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists to provide patients with the best care possible," wrote the province in a news release.
Dr. Kim Simmonds was announced as the new CEO of the organization.
The Modernizing Alberta's Primary Care System was unveiled in 2022 to find ways to support Alberta's primary health care system.
The Alberta government says the MAPS final report mentioned creating a single governance structure that supports an integrated team of healthcare professionals with data sharing across the province.
"Improving the coordination and delivery of primary care was also something Alberta’s government heard during provincewide engagement sessions held earlier this year as part of efforts to engage with Albertans and healthcare professionals on how to refocus the healthcare system," wrote the province.
A few goals of the model include providing tools to primary care providers such as enhancing the find a doctor website and e-referral. According to the province, more than 30,000 Albertans were able to share their thoughts through in-person events, online feedback forms, and telephone town halls.
New numbers from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta were also recently released.
According to the report, there were 12,126 physicians registered in the province at the end of September. That's an increase of 518 doctors, or a 4.5 per cent increase compared to the same time last year. The greatest increase is in the Calgary area which includes Strathmore and Chestermere.