CALGARY – A special citizen’s council has been appointed to act as a watchdog over Alberta’s evolving health-care system.
The 16-member council consisting of urban and rural representatives was appointed by health minister Shirley McClellan and will start work Oct. 30. It will be led by Edmontonian Ellen Hambrook.
Included on the council are Gail Surkan, Red Deer; Joseph Acker, Spruce Grove; Tom Biggs, Coronation; Terry Katernchuk, Willingdon; Glenn Keddie, Grande Prairie; James Kelley, Wetaskiwin; Duncan Lloyd, Coaldale; Barry Mackenzie, Edmonton; Richard Marz, Three Hills; Sharon Matthias, Edmonton; Don McLeod, Calgary; Frank Schoenberger, Calahoo; Clara Sigurdur, Winterburn; Jack Thrasher, Calgary and Clifford Wright, Medicine Hat.
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A health experts panel will be appointed in November to provide technical and professional advice to the council.
The first duty of the council is to provide an annual report card on Alberta’s health programs to make the system more accountable in the way individual care is delivered, as well as the effects of restructuring, said a government release.
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Its annual report to the legislative assembly is expected to analyze community-based care, accessibility to services, readmission rates and rate of usage of lower cost health-care providers. It will assess strengths and weaknesses of health care in the province.
The council will meet with and receive submissions from community organizations, regional health authorities, health-care givers and consumers.
A government committee to co-ordinate restructuring of health care was also announced.
The standing policy committee on health restructuring will be led by Brooks physician and MLA Lyle Oberg. Consisting of 16 government members the committee will oversee all aspects of health-care policy in the province.
