Another step forward in the province's health care refocusing initiative will take place on April 1 when Acute Care Alberta comes online, joining Recovery Alberta and Primary Care Alberta as three of the four pieces of the reorganized health system. Assisted Living Alberta, the final piece of the health care system, will also become a legal entity on that date.
Once Acute Care Alberta comes online, Alberta Health Services (AHS), the current Provincial Health Authority, will begin transitioning towards becoming a service provider within the health care system.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS), which is responsible for all ambulance care in the province, currently falls under the jurisdiction of AHS, but that will be changing; EMS will be transitioning to the portfolio of the new acute care agency.
"From the beginning of our refocusing efforts, we’ve emphasized the importance of creating organizations dedicated to specific sectors, allowing health care workers to focus on what they do best," said Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, via a media release. "By moving emergency health services to Acute Care Alberta, I am confident it will receive the focused attention needed to deliver the care Albertans deserve.”
The release announcing the change notes that under the oversight of the new organization, work will continue to enhance EMS care, system efficiency, patient safety and response times province-wide.
Under Acute Care Alberta, emergency health services staff will be accountable for ensuring the overall EMS system sees continual improvements, that it meets performance targets and that the workforce remains sustainable.
"Emergency health services is the first line of care for Albertans in times of crisis," said Anne MacDonald, executive director of EMS Provincial Operations.
Despite the oversight of EMS in Alberta changing, the province continues to make investments with the goal of improving response times and patient outcomes.
As part of Budget 2025, released last week, the province has increased EMS funding by an additional $56 million, ensuring more crews are on the road and that the crews have the equipment they need.
Additionally, the budget also includes $40 million towards a planned $60 million over three years for the EMS Vehicles Capital Program. The funding will go towards replacing vehicles and equipment that have reached the end of their service lives.
" A more efficient EMS system means fewer delays, fewer complications and a stronger, more resilient health care system for all Albertans," notes the release.
During the same media conference, Minister LaGrange also announced that a new shared services entity is being established for the new health system.
The new entity will provide information and technology services (IT), finance, human resources, and centralized communication functions such as web, digital communications and marketing for all four provincial provincial health bodies.
According to the release, the entity is expected to be operational by the summer of 2025.
"Throughout the refocusing work, Albertans are accessing health care as they always have, and Alberta’s government remains committed to ensuring there are no impacts to front-line health care workers and their continued dedication to delivering excellent health care to Albertans," concludes the release.
The Government of Alberta has been working towards refocusing the provincial health system since 2023.
