EDMONTON, Alta. — Rural residents will have more say in how their health care works, promises a new rural health care review released Wednesday.
Alberta health minister Stephen Mandel released the report during the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties convention.
The report makes 56 recommendations how to improve health care service in rural Alberta.
“We understand how important health care is to Albertans, including small and rural communities,” he said.
Alberta Health Services will establish eight to 10 operational districts designed to allow rural areas more say in their health care.
Read Also
Ukraine 2025 wheat crop seen at 21.8 million tons, corn at 28 million-29 million says farm union
Ukraine’s 2025 wheat harvest is forecast at a maximum of 21.8 million metric tons, down from 22.7 million tons in 2024, the UAC farmers’ union said on Wednesday, slightly raising its outlook for this year’s corn crop.
A lump sum of money will be given to each district and they expected to make the best use of all the facilities in the region, including small hospitals and primary care networks.
“The budget will be allocated to each district based on program needs,” said Mandel, who expects the districts will result in more efficiencies.
Each district will also have a local advisory council to give input on local health needs.
“They will be a sounding board for each district,” he said.
Alberta used to have health care districts, but were disbanded in favour of the centralized health care model.
Changes will also be made to ambulances that bring patients to the larger centres and get used by urban hospitals to transport patients.
The new protocol will limit the amount of time each ambulance spends in the city, he said.
“There will be no relocation of EMS vehicles and make sure they return straight to their home base. They must return to their home community.
The new AHS districts will be implemented by July 1.
Contact mary.macarthur@producer.com
