Alberta-Health-Services-Sign
Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced Primary Care Alberta, a new high-quality and modern primary care agency that makes sure the primary healthcare needs of residents are met.
This is the fourth agency created by the UCP government making efforts to take over Alberta Health Services (AHS) and refocus the health system. The agency will be more responsive to residents wherever they live in the province. ‘
“A solid health-care system…”
(Health Minister Adriana LaGrange)
LaGrange is confident the new agency will strengthen the healthcare system. “Primary care is the foundation of a solid health-care system… It is the first point of contact that Albertans have when they need health care,” she says.
The first priority of Primary Care Alberta is to provide front-line workers with what they need to support patients and reduce pressure on the healthcare system. The agency wants to support Albertans with new teams of family physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists.
LaGrange says over 280 family practitioners have moved to the province for support in the last year. She also says it is premature to talk about job losses coming from the new system.
Dr. Kim Simmonds, the current assistant deputy minister of strategic planning and performance at Alberta Health, was named CEO of Primary Care Alberta. Simmonds has experience working within the Alberta health system to give Albertans the care they need no matter what.
LaGrange says Simmonds has a lot of work ahead of her to make sure the agency operates the way it is intended across the province, but she is confident Simmonds is the right person for the job.
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